





LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Chap.tE2.5 Copyright No 

Shelf.. I ^ 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 





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# 





THE COLONEL PLACED THE LITTLE FELLOW IN HIS 

mother’s outstretched arms.” (See page 150 .) 



A HOSTAGE OF WAR 


BY 

MARY G.^BONESTEEL 

\ 






New York, Cincinnati, Chicago : 

BKN^IOKR BROTHERS, 

Printers to the Holy Apostolic See. 

1900. 


TWO COPIES RECEiVSD* 

L |i>rary of 

OfflQt) 0 f tdfi 


m 3 0 1900 


tieglsttr af Gopyrlgbf% 


IJV THE SAME SERIES. 



Each volume handsomely bound in cover 
with colored design. i6mo, 40 ccftts. 6 vols, 
in a box^ %2.40. 

A HOSTAGE OF WAR. By Mary G. Bone- 
steel. 

FRED’S LITTLE DAUGHTER. By Sara 
Trainer Smith. 

AN EVERY-DAY GIRL. By Mary Cather- 
ine Crowley. 

JACK-O’-LANTERN. By Mary T. Wagga- 


MAN. 


PAULINE ARCHER. By Anna T. Sadlier. 

PANCHO AND PANCHITA. By Mary E. 
Mannix. 



\ o O , 


Copyright, 1899, bv Beoziger Brothers. 


SECOND COPY, 



( 


TO MY FATHER, 

6ireneral ©♦ 6ifteenet 

U, S. Army. 


I 


I 






Jf ■ » 






y' 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER I. 

PAGB 

Jack 9 

CHAPTER II. 

The Powwow 21 

CHAPTER III. 

Jack’s Friends 34 

CHAPTER IV. 

How Jack Killed the Cougar 48 

CHAPTER V. 

Another Adventure 54 

CHAPTER VI. 

The Donation Party 62 

7 


8 


Contents. 


CHAPTER VII. 

PAGE 


Jack Earns Five Dollars 68 

CHAPTER VIII. 

A Captive Knight 88 

CHAPTER IX. 

Maloney's Madonna 95 

CHAPTER X. 

The History op a Vocation 110 

CHAPTER XI. 

An Indian Fourth op July 118 

CHAPTER XIL 

A Hostage op War 128 

CHAPTER Xin. 

The Return op the Hostage. 139 


A HOSTAGE OF WAR^ 


CHAPTEB I. 

JACK. 

Jack was the youngest of the three boys: 
there were Billy, a dashing young middy on 
duty with the Pacific Squadron, and Dick, a 
third-class man at West Point; so it left the 
little fellow to rule alone over the houseihold 
in the big old commanding officer's quarters 
at Fort Fetterman. 

Jack ruled his household by means of the 
sweetest and most insinuating voice, the most 
coaxing and engaging smile, and, finally, the 
most tender and loving of little hearts. 

His rule began in the kitchen with old Ap- 
polyn, the French and Indian half-breed cook 
who had been in the ColoneFs family since he 
9 


10 


Jack. 


served down in Arizona in the as the 
Junior subaltern; it extended to Jerry, the 
ex-soldier who took care of the horses and 
made himself generally useful; to Nora, the 
pretty 'waitress; and it did not end there. 
His father and mother were his most loyal 
subjects, and indeed the only wonder is that 
the child was not unendurably spoiled; but 
he 'W’as not, being a fine manly little chap of 
sense, able to swim, row, ride, and even fight 
with the little Indian lads from the near-by 
agency; for he had not a single companion 
of his own age in the post. 

But, although the Colonel was a stern dis- 
ciplinarian, as every youngster in the 
regiment knew, and Mrs. Colonel, too, was a 
most stately and dignified dame, ruling the 
feminine contingent with infinite tact yet un- 
disputed authority, Jack never called them 
anything save Daddy and Dolly — ^this to the 
open amusement and delight of every soul in 
the regiment. For it was so absurd to have 
the white-haired, grave, and stately Colonel, 
whose official designation was John Quincy 
Hollingsworth, addressed as daddy’’; it 
was almost more absurd in Mrs. Colonel’s case, 
for she had such a grand air, such digni- 


Jack, 


11 


fiecl manners, that she might easily have been 
a duchess; but to Jack she was Just plain 
Dolly. 

It is true that both parents had remon- 
strated with the young man as to his choice 
of names; but Jack was very sweet and plau- 
sible, and very firm. ^^Any fellow can say 
^ papa ^ or ^ pa-pa, ^ or ^ father ^ — that’s easy; 
but ^ daddy ’ is different — and Dolly does go 
so with ^ ducky ’ and ^ darling ’ and ^ dearest.’ 
I Just have to call my mother that.” 

Horror ! Shades of Mrs. Colonel’s stately 
colonial ancestors ! what would they have 
thought of ducky ” ? 

One lovely June morning the Colonel and 
Jack stood on the great vffde front porch, 
which was shaded by a beautiful and curious 
pink-and-white rose which tradition declared 
had been planted in the fort nearly a century 
ago by the old French missionaries when the 
post was a fur-trading station. 

Don’t you think it’s warm enough fur a 
swim to-day ? ” J ack was saying in a wistful 
little voice; but the emphasis unconsciously 
placed on the pronoun quite gave the small 
boy away. 

So mamma does not approve, eh. Jack ? 


12 


Jack, 


Well, she is right, old man; it is warm 
enough, as far as that goes, but the water is 
still far too cold. Kemember, Buffalo Creek 
comes straight down from the mountains, 
where there is plenty of snow yet.^^ 

^^Yes, I know,^^ returned Jack eagerly, 
and Dick Eunning Horse he telled me 
about it. He says the Buffalo gets smaller 
and smaller, and finally when it runs way up 
to the foot of the mountains, it goes down in 
a hole in the rocks, comes out on the other 
side, where it climbs up and up till it gets to 
a valley which is so warm that the grass stays 
green nearly all the year, and there is lots of 
game and fish there; so the Indians call it 
Happy Hunting — that’s the English; I’ve 
forgotten the Sioux name.” 

Jack could jabber Sioux quite fiuently; he 
even knew the difference between the How 
Kola” and ^^How Koda” tribes. 

Fm afraid Eunning Horse was ^ stuffing ’ 
you, young man; he must be as good a ro- 
mancer as he is a teamster,” replied the 
Colonel, smiling. 

Ko, but honest, daddy, he says it’s true; 
he was there himself once, when he was a 
little fellow, and lived in his grandfather’s 


Jack, 


13 


lodge; that was afore he was civilized, you 
know/^ explained Jack earnestly. 

Oh ! So Eunning Horse is civilized, is 
he ? queried the Colonel, with a quizzical 
twinkle of the eye, as a mental picture pre- 
sented itself to him of the young half-breed 
teamster, the most reckless dare-devil and best 
whip on the reservation, at once the torment 
and pride of the quartermaster — for there was 
nothing on four legs that Running Horse 
couldn^t ride or drive; he was absolutely fear- 
less. 

Oh, yes, Eunning Horse is civilized all 
right; he carries the bundles and even the 
pappoose when he and his squaw come in to 
trade, and that’s a sign.” 

Yes, that’s a sign,” agreed his father. 

^^Well,” continued Jack, ^^he says that 
right in the middle of that valley are two 
lakes; one of them is so cold that it almost 
freezes anything left in it, and the other one 
so hot that you can cook things in it; and 
the cold one is so full of trout that when you 
drink out of it you have to be awful careful 
not to swallow the fish.” 

^^Did you ever hear Running Horse men- 
tion having met, during the civilizing process. 


[4 


Jack, 


with a certain famous chronicler named 
Baron Miinchausen ? asked the Colonel 
gravely. 

No, daddy, I don’t think he ever did; but 
he knew Buffalo Bill, Captain J ack Crawford, 
General Crook, and General Miles, and lots 
of people like that.” 

^^Well, Jack, I feel sure he must also have 
met the Baron. Hello ! here comes the or- 
derly on a run. What can have happened ? ” 

A spick-and-span young soldier with white 
gloves and side arms was tearing across the 
parade from the direction of post headquar- 
ters. The Colonel and Jack walked down to 
the gate to meet him. 

Gasping and almost breathless between his 
run and importance, the orderly saluted, then 
delivered his message: 

The adjutant’s compliments, sor, and 
there is a small party of Sioux coming down 
the old Indian trail over the big divide.” 

^^Very good, orderly. I'll come right over 
to the office,” replied the Colonel; then he 
said half to himself: Well, we haven’t had 
a poww^ow of any kind for two or three 
months; these fellows are coming in to beg, 
most likely.” 


Jack, 


15 


Jack clapped his hands at this, and began 
to prance excitedly, his disappointment over 
the forbidden swim quite forgotten in the 
prospect of a powwow, which was a rare but 
much-desired event in which Jack always 
figured quite as conspicuously as his father. 

The Coloners Indian name was White 
Fox,^^ as being significant of his thick, snow- 
white hair; while Jack was known far and 
near as Little Fox, or sometimes Coyote. He 
was a great favorite with all the different 
bands that came in to the post during the 
course of the year, sometimes to beg for ra- 
tions, but more often with complaints against 
the white settlers who were rapidly taking up 
claims on the available government lands 
near the great Sioux reservations, and most 
often of all to complain of their Indian 
agents. Heretofore Colonel Hollingsworth, 
by exercising infinite patience and tact, had 
been able to settle, satisfactorily to the In- 
dians at least, all difficulties. 

The Indians have implicit confidence in 
the black-gowns,^^ as they call Catholic priests 
and army officials. Jack knew all the chiefs and 
principal warriors by name, and they never 
forgot him on their occasional visits. He had 


16 


Jack, 


a good-sized collection of all sorts of Indian 
treasures: moccasins, gorgeously embroidered 
and beaded buckskin jackets, hunting-shirts, 
and short little baggy trousers to match were 
displayed on the walls of his and his father^s 
den, which they shared in common. Pretty 
baskets, hunting-knives, pipes, and even a 
murderous-looking tomahawk were in this 
curious collection; while numerous Navajo 
blankets, so finely woven that water could be 
carried in them any distance without spilling 
a drop, w^ere spread on the polished floor and 
used as couch-covers and portieres. 

The Colonel stepped out briskly. Jack 
following a few steps behind, while the 
orderly kept at the regulation ten paces to 
the rear. 

Whose band is it, orderly, did you hear 
the adjutant say ? 

Yes, sor,^^ returned the orderly promptly, 
full of suppressed excitement, for Eoone/s 
youthful Irish heart was dancing at the very 
thought of a possible brush with Indians. 

The adjutant he says, sor, as if s Yellow 
Bird and his young bucks, and as theyVe got 
their war-paint on; the adjutant he says to 
the quartermaster, who was looking at ^em 


Jack. 


17 


through thim big field-glasses, as he thought 
as there was something up, sot.” 

Very good, that will do,^^ returned the 
Colonel curtly. 

Presently the Colonel and his two followers 
reached the small green square directly in 
front of the guard-house. Here the fiagstaff 
towered far above the roofs of the long, low 
adobe buildings of which this frontier post 
was constructed. From its stately height 
fluttered the Stars and Stripes. Eain or 
shine, fair weather or foul, that flag could 
be seen for miles around, and it served at 
once as a warning and a protection to the 
hordes of ignorant foreign settlers who were 
pouring in to this newly opened-up country, 
and to the restless, suspicious Indians. At 
the foot of the flagpole two saucy little brass 
cannon were mounted, named by the children 
in the post respectively Retreat and Reveille. 

The Colonel stood with folded arms and an 
unusual look of severity upon his fine face, 
awaiting the arrival of Yellow Bird. Jack, 
unheeded, stood at his side, imitating exactly 
both frown and attitude. 

The Indians with a furious dash and wild 
war-whoop drew rein suddenly at the road 


18 


Jack. 


near the gnard-honse^ where the sentry on 
number one challenged them in fine style: 

Halt ! who comes there ? and down rat- 
tled his gun. 

Yellow Bird, friend/^ responded the old 
chief briefly. 

Cor-po-ral of the guard ! sung out the 
sentry again. Almost instantaneously this 
important personage appeared and graciously 
allowed the chief and his warriors to file 
slowly by. 

Colonel Hollingsworth stood silently watch- 
ing the scene. He was wondering what the 
Indians thought of it all, for Yellow Bird had 
only to speak the word and sentry, guard, and 
guard-house itself would be annihilated. 

The Indians had already seen the Colonel, 
so they rode up to where he stood and dis- 
mounted with the swiftness and grace of 
Sioux warriors, and stood in half-sullen, half- 
triumphant manner by their sweating ponies. 
Yellow Bird with outstretched hand advanced 
towards the Colonel. Ugh ! he grunted 
out solemnly, it is good to see my brother 
the White Fox once again.’^ 

The Colonel gravely shook hands and 
waited; he knew there was more to follow. 


Jack, 


10 


This was about the extent of Yellow Bird^s 
English^ so he beckoned to his interpreter to 
approach. 

The interpreter, a handsome young half- 
breed, named Louis Quick Elk, had but re- 
cently returned from Carlisle, but there was 
nothing to show in his manner or dress that 
he had had any advantage over his companions. 
He was painted and blanketed just as they 
were, but he could speak fluent and fairly 
good English; in fact he had already estab- 
lished quite a reputation as an orator. Tak- 
ing his place at Yellow Bird^s side, he 
rendered the old chiefs harangue into 
English. 

It is true, as my young men say,^^ began 
the old Indian, ^^that White Fox is a great 
chief. Big Medicine, and he knows much; he 
is good and wise, and we know that he will 
tell the Great Father in AVashington of our 
wrongs and tell him to grant us what we 
ask— 

Why, Quick Elk, it is you, is it ? The 
Colonel had evidently not recognized him be- 
fore. ^^Is this what you learned at Car- 
lisle ? eying him sternly. 

But the young Indian gazed straight back 


20 


Jack. 


into the ColoneFs face, saluted, and went on 
briefly, speaking for himself this time: 

I am come to speak for my people. White 
Fox. When all goes well I am white, but 
when trouble comes in the tepees I am In- 
dian. My people are starving; the women 
and children have no food, and the pap- 
pooses die because the mothers cannot nour- 
ish them. And now the black death is 
among us, for the beef they give us rots on 
the hoof before we shoot it.^^ 

The ColoneFs brow grew black as night. 

Some d rascality here,’^ he muttered. 

Go on,” he commanded sternly. 

So Quick Elk continued his story, divining 
at once that he had the ColoneFs sympathy. 

Our agent is a bad man; *he is a liar, a thief, 
and a murderer — 

Great heavens ! what has happened at 
the agency ? ” interrupted the Colonel. 

Where can Mr. Davis be ? Orderly, find 
the adjutant and tell him to report here at 
once.” 

Yes, sor; there he is now, sor — him and 
Mr. Barnes.” 


CHAPTER IL 


THE POWWOW. 

As the orderly spoke, two young officers 
could be seen hurrying towards the Colonel. 
The younger one carried a pair of field-glasses 
which he had evidently just been using. 

There is a party coming in from the 
agency, ColoneV^ called out Mr. Davis. 

Mr. Barnes and I have been watching them 
through the field-glasses.""^ 

I guess it^s old J enkins himself, the old 
rascal. At any rate iPs his buckboard and 
sorrel team.""^ 

At the word rascal just a faint flicker 
flashed across Quick Elk^s immobile counte- 
nance. 

Yellow Bird wants a ^ talk.^ He will tell 
the White Fox his wrongs and his people’s 
sorrows, and his white brother will send the 
lightning-writing [telegram] to the Great 
Father in Washington and ask him to send 
away this bad agent, who steals and lies.” 


22 


The Poxctcow. 


You talk well, Quick Elk; now you must 
also talk sense. Tell Yellow Bird we will 
have our talk in the morning; the agent will 
be present to defend himself. Now go with 
the adjutant; he will show you a camp. Mr. 
Davis, see to it that they have tents and ra- 
tions for three days. Between Jenkins and 
Yellow Bird this powwow will last three days, 
or I am much mistaken.^^ 

In the meantime Jack was gravely shaking 
hands and repeating How kola ! how 
kola ! to the old chief and each of his war- 
riors. Why, where is Little Horn ? he 
asked. 

Yellow Bird shook his head and looked 
gloomy, but all he said was Ugh ! 

Little Horn was his sole remaining son, and 
the very apple of the old chiefs eye. He was 
a handsome little fellow about Jack’s age and 
size, and a boon companion of the young 
man’s whenever he visited the post. 

Little Horn is sick, very sick; the heat 
burns him up,” explained the interpreter. 

Yellow Bird is very much afraid his pap- 
poose will leave him. He goes now to ask 
the medicine-man for powders to cure his 


The Powwow. 


23 


Oh, I^m awfully sorry, tell him,^’ said 
Jack, nodding his head towards the old chief; 

and tell him when he goes back I will send 
Little Horn something good for sick boys 
to eat — something my mamma makes/^ 

But Yellow Bird understood Jack’s prof- 
fered sympathy, for he, gave a pleased grunt, 
and passing his hand over the boy’s crop of 
short yellow curls, he said slowly, so that 
Quick Elk could interpret as he talked: 

Little Coyote is the son of a great chief. 
The father is good and wise, and the son is 
the same; his hair, yellow like the sun, gives 
light; his heart, warm like the sun, gives heat, 
the warmth of a good heart. He is my friend 
and the friend of my son, and some day he 
must come and stay with us in our tepees; 
there he can have a pony of his own to ride, 
the old men will teach him to fish and trap, 
and the young men to fight and hunt.” 

Oh, that would be dandy ! ” exclaimed 
J ack enthusiastically. I’ll come some day 
sure.” 

When J ack found that Little Horn had not 
accompanied his father he was very much 
disappointed, for he and the little Indian 
boy had always had a grand time together. 


24 


The Foivicow. 


Many a jolly hour had they spent fishing for 
suckers in the muddy Buffalo, trapping 
prairie-dogs out on the target-range, riding 
races with their ponies, and trying their skill 
with their bows and arrows. Mrs. Hollings- 
worth, fearful for Jack^s safety, had done her 
best to discourage the friendship; but the 
Colonel heartily approved of it, and allowed 
Jack many privileges that his mother’s fears 
would have denied him, particularly that of 
taking his meals with his Indian friends and 
of having Little Horn share his. 

The first time the Indian had dined in 
state at the Colonel’s, Mrs. Hollingsworth 
watched curiously to see how he would 
conduct himself. But the boy, with his keen 
bright eyes full of natural pride and cun- 
ning, never ate a single morsel until he had 
watched to see just what the others did first, 
choosing in silent admiration Mrs. Colonel 
herself as his model. His table manners 
were a source of constant wonder to Nora, 
the waitress, who between courses would con- 
fide her opinion to cook: Sure an’ the 

haythen ates fur all the world like any Chris- 
tian.” 

Only once was he caught unawares. A 


The Fotctcoiv. 


25 


dish of olives being placed directly in front 
of him^ he took one, and began to chew it. 
It was all right, although he didn^t like the 
taste of it, until he came to the stone; he tried 
to, but simply could not swallow it, so, noth- 
ing daunted, he drew in a long breath, and 
blew the olive-stone across the room. No one 
laughed, though Jack choked and got red in 
the face, and Nora, who was passing a dish, 
fled precipitately to the pantry. 

Occasionally Jack dined with his friend in 
the old chiefs tepee, but when he did he 
confined himself strictly to a menu of bacon 
and canned beans, for, as he explained to his 
mother, Vm pretty sure what they^re made 
of.^^ 

The Colonel having intimated that the 
^^talk^’ for that day was over. Yellow Bird 
with a sign to his warriors rode off to a choice 
camping-spot, just beyond the corral; here 
the ground sloped gently down to where the 
Buffalo widened into a broad shallow pond, 
making an excellent watering-place for their 
ponies. 

The party from the agency came into the 
post not long after, the agent, Mr. eTenkins, 
furious that his charges should have left the 


26 


The Poivtvoiv. 


reservation right under his nose, as it were, 
and^ truth to tell, rather anxious to hear what 
complaints the Indians had laid before this 
impartial officer, of whose justice he had a 
taste before this, and found not at all suited 
to his palate. 

The big powwow came off the next day on 
the main parade facing the officers^ quar- 
ters, the porches of which were filled with 
sympathetic and interested women and 
children. 

The Indians were drawn up in a big circle 
with Yellow Bird and the interpreter in the 
midst, while facing the chief were the 
Colonel and his officers, and Mr. J enkins and 
his subordinates, who looked as if they did 
not enjoy the situation in the least. 

The agent opened fire by demanding in a 
blustering tone that these Indians, who were 
disaffected and rebellious, be at once returned 
to the reservation under a strong military 
guard; but the Colonel remaining silent, he 
went on, getting angrier and angrier, to state 
that this particular band were thieves; that 
they had threatened his life and meant to 
burn up the agency. 

Quick Elk rapidly interpreting this speech, 


The Potvivoiv, 


27 


Yellow Bird replied with laconic contempt: 

Lies ! all lies ! 

The old chiefs answer was brief and to the 
pointy but delivered with a passionate earnest- 
ness that convinced his listeners that he was 
speaking the simple truth. He stated that 
his people had no sugar and coffee at the last 

wakopotomie/^ or Indian supply distribu- 
tion; that only half the amount of flour and 
bacon due them had been given out; and 
that, worst of all, the beef was so thin and 
much of it so diseased that it had made his 
people sick. 

Yellow Bird looked very fierce and grim 
when he made this last charge. 

^^He’s thinking of Little Horn, daddy,^^ 
whispered Jack excitedly; ^^and, daddy, ifs 
true about the sugar and things. You know 
I went down to the agency last time they 
had a wakopotomie, and I remember perfectly 
about the sugar and the coffee, and I asked 
Mr. Eollins, that new clerk down there, why 
it was; for the Indians, particularly the 
squaws, were making a big fuss about it; and 
Mr. Eollins said little boys should mind their 
own business.^^ 

Jack was a good witness for the accusers. 


28 


The Poicicotv. ‘ 


His father knew the child spoke the absolute 
truth; Jack had never told a lie in all his 
young life. 

^^Youh’e sure, Jack?’^ said the Colonel, 
laying his hand on the excited little figure. 

Sure, daddy.^^ 

Yellow Bird, will your young men an- 
swer to these facts iust as you have stated 
them ? 

For answer the chief drew forth a small 
ivory crucifix which tradition said had been 
handed down in this Catholic tribe from 
Father De Smet himself. 

At a sign the Indians stepped forth one by 
one, approached the crucifix, kissed it, then, 
raising the right hand, said loudly: ^^It is 
true, by the Crucified One ! 

It was a solemn scene, and even Mr. Jen- 
kins’ hardened conscience must have pricked 
a little, for he began a confused, halting 
statement, trying to explain that the sugar, 
etc., was delayed; that he had meant to dis- 
tribute it wdien it arrived. 

But he "wasn’t telling the truth, so the 
Colonel cut him short. 

The facts shall be sent to Washington, 
Mr. Jenkins. Any explanation you have to 


The Poimcoic. 


29 


offer had better be forwarded there/^ he said 
coldly. 

Jack had been trying all this time to get 
another word, so now he burst out: And I 
heard Mr. Jenkins tell that red-headed Jonas 
of his to ^take that meddling kid away and 
shut his mouth.^ 

Did J onas succeed ? asked his father 
with an amused smile. 

Not much; he tried it, but I licked him.” 

^^It seems to me that boy is out of place 
here in this ^ talk,^ Colonel,” began the agent. 

The ^ talk ’ is over, Mr. J enkins. I bid 
you good-day.” And the Colonel, followed 
by all the officers, walked off, leaving Mr. 
Jenkins nothing to do but follow suit. 

Later on the Colonel sent for Yellow Bird 
and had the interpreter explain carefully to 
the impatient old chief just what he meant 
to do. 

Tell him. Quick Elk, that his story is too 
long to use the lightning-writing, I must 
send it by letter; and that it will be some 
time before the letter will get to the Great 
Father and before he can answer it.” 

With great dignity the old chief replied, 
pointing a long lean forefinger in the direc- 


30 


The Poivivoiv. 


tion of the road to the agency, where the 
agent^s huckboard was still in plain view: 

Unless the Great Father takes away that 
bad man before the moon is full again, I will 
take my people and we will go into the hunt- 
ing-land, where the white man cannot find 
us.” 

That is very little time, with no allow- 
ance for delays,^^ the Colonel answered. 

But this was Yellow Bird^s ultimatum, and 
he withdrew with a certain savage dignity, 
refusing the ColoneFs invitation to spend a 
few days at the fort. 

Jack sent Little Horn a basket of delica- 
cies sure to please the sick child, also a great 
many messages. 

Immediately after lunch that day Jack dis- 
appeared, and no one saw him until dinner- 
time, when he appeared at the kitchen door 
with his face and hands plentifully bedaubed 
with ink, and requested N’ora to scrub him 
clean, making her promise not to tell any one 
of his inky condition. 

The truth was that J ack had been engaged 
all afternoon on a secret and important mis- 
sion. He had been writing to the President 
of the United States, which, as every one 


The Poicivoiv. 


31 


knows, is no light undertaking. Eight after 
the noon fatigue-call he had entered the ser- 
geant-major^s little private office, and, de- 
manding pen, ink, and paper, had spent the 
whole of the long hot afternoon on the fol- 
lowing original composition: 

D ere Mister Presdent,^^ it read. 

The sergent major sez I orter say your 
exsellency, hut I think it sounds more 
frendly like to begin jest dere Mister Pres- 
dent, and I have a big faver to ask you, so I 
want to be perticerly frendly. Yellow Bird 
was here to-day with sum of his young bucks 
he’s a sou chief from the buff alow crick resa- 
vashun. He came to tell daddy that his peo- 
ple were sick and starvin, becus the agent is 
a rascle, and his boy jonas is no good either, 
he kicks the little Indian boys when his 
father is round to pertek him, but I can lick 
him, even if he is most to years older than 
me. the Indians have no sugger and no 
flower, I no this, fur I was there myself, and 
the beef is very bad spiled. Yellow Bird calls 
it bad medcine cus it made his little boy 
Little Horn sick and his boy is bully fur 
an indian but I can throw him when we ras- 
sel, and all of the wimmen and children are 
sick and hungry and there are some very nice 
squaws in Yellow Birds band pertickerly Mrs. 
red dere, she makes dandy ginger bred. 


32 


The Powwow. 


Yellow Bird says unless you send jenkens 
the raskel agent right off, he will take all his 
peeple and leave the resavashun. you had 
better do as he wants, dere mister presdent, 
fer if he goes, ore soldiers here and daddy 
to will have to make them go back and that 
means a fight for the young warriors are all 
ways reddy fur a fight, daddy is writin to 
you to, but as he says there is so much red- 
tape in the army I thot I wud send this letter 
so as you cud have plenty of time befur the 
full moon to look round fer a good man in 
Mister jenkens place. 

hope in to reseev a faverible anser I am 
very respectfully 

your obedient servant 
^^JoHN Quincy Hollingswokth 


P. S. the sargent majer sez this is the way 
to end a ficial letter he helped me spell it, 
but he dont no I was writin you thats a 
sekret. 

Jack. 


P.P.S. 

Jack. 


Every one here calls me just 
^^Jack.^^ 


The same mail that carried Jack^s interest- 
ing epistle took also an official statement of 
the disaffection of the Buffalo Agency Tu- 


The Fowivoio, 


33 


dians, recommending that Agent J enkins 
be summarily dismissed. The Colonel made 
his indorsement pretty severe, for he felt that 
the Indians ought to be relieved of the pres- 
ence of this rascal. 


CHAPTEE III. 


jack’s friends. 

Jack’s ^^most perticerler friends/’ as he 
himself called them, were five in number, be- 
ginning at Lieutenant Belden down to Eun- 
ning Horse, the half-breed teamster. They 
were chosen entirely without regard to rank 
or station. Between these two there were Ser- 
geant McGinnis, who was as good a story- 
teller as Scheherezade herself in the Ara- 
bian Nights”; Miss Marion Worden, the 
major’s only daughter; and, last but not least, 
Dorothea Douglass, his constant companion 
and ally, known to her friends as Dee.” 
She was a few months Jack’s junior, and his 
most devoted and obedient little slave, per- 
fectly content if she were only allowed to 
follow humbly in the footsteps of her small 
tyrant. 

A few days after Yellow Bird and his band 
had departed, the two children met at re- 
34 


Jack's Friends. 


35 


treat; they stood in grave silence beneath the 
tall slender flagpole while the company roll 
was called, and then with never-failing in- 
terest and attention watched the fluttering 
Stars and Stripes hauled slowly down to the 
sound of the Star Spangled Banner/^ played 
by the regimental band. . 

The irreverent youngsters in the regi- 
ment had been heard to remark that honors 
and distinctions to the flag were all right in 
summer, but when the thermometer went 
down to thirty degrees below zero there was 
such a thing as too much S. S. B.” 

Before the last strain was quite finished 
Jack leaned over and whispered mysteriously 
in Dee^s curious little ear: If youTl promise 
not to tell any one, 1^11 tell you something.^^ 
Cross my heart, I hope 1^11 die,^^ re- 
sponded Dee instantly; for this bit of jargon 
was the invariable formula used between the 
two when anything important was under con- 
sideration. 

^^Well, I am going over to the new bar- 
racks this evening, and stay till tattoo; my 
friend Sergeant McGinnis is going to tell me 
Indian stories. If you weren^t such a fraid- 
cat you might go too.’^ 


36 


Jack's Friends. 


Fm not a f raid-cat; but how can we man- 
age ? We’re put to bed at eight, bofe of us/’ 
said Dee dismally. 

know that; but can’t we get up 
again ?” asked Jack triumphantly. Naughty 
Jack — he had laid his plans carefully. Our 
papas and mammas are going to Mrs. Bill- 
ings’ card party, and Nora’s beau, Sergeant 
Murphy, comes at eight precisely, so Nora 
won’t be bothering around.” 

Dee’s venturesome spirit was charmed with 
this novel plan, so she agreed to be on hand 
promptly at the appointed hour. A little 
after eight the two small conspirators, hand 
in hand, flew across the great silent parade 
in the direction of the big new barrack build- 
ing. 

It was unfinished, and there was still so 
much valuable lumber and material lying 
around that the contractors had found it nec- 
essary to put on a night watchman. Old 
Sergeant McGinnis, whose time was just out 
and who had a three months’ furlough before 
re-enlisting, got the job, and this was the at- 
traction for Jack. 

The old fellow had a fine bonfire for them, 
and as he had no idea that the two had run 


Jack's Friends. 


37 


away without permission, he was soon deep in 
tales of war and blood. 

^^Weren^t you ever frightened, McGin- 
nis ? asked Jack admiringly of his hero. 

Frightened, is it ? faith an’ I was. An 
Injun, an’ a tame wan at that, gave me the 
worst scare I iver had. 

^^It’s in the cavalry I was thin; I niver 
took on [enlisted] with the ^ dough boys ’ 
[infantry] till me knees was too stiff to ride 
a boss. 

It was out in Oregon in the early ’70’s 
that I was sint to the ould Eighth ^ B ’ troop, 
as raw a recruity as you cud find anywhares. 

Ould Fort Harney, two hundred miles 
from the railroad, was me first station, and 
the very first night I got there I was sitting 
in the orderly room a writin’ home to me 
folks in the ould counthry. ^ There’s no In- 
juns to shpake of’ — thim w^as the identical 
words I was writin’ — ^ an’ supposin’ there 
was, it’s me as wad show the red haythens as 
wan Irishman was worth twinty of thim.’ 
Just thin I heered a quare noise outside the 
windy, like this: ^ Ugh ! ugh!’ and there 
lookin’ at me, wdd a knife in his hand, stud a 
great big painted Injun. 


38 


Jack's Frmids. 


I yelled bloody murther and took to me 
heels, screeching all the way to the post 
trader^s that ^ the Injuns had come/ 

^^It took a good manny fights before I 
heered the last o^ that Injun scare. 

An’ that was the first time an Injun had 
me pretty badly scared, but it wasn’t the 
last,” admitted the old soldier honestly 
enough. 

^^I don’t believe you ever were a coward, 
McGinnis,” replied Jack reproachfully. 

No more I was. Jack dear,” answered the 
old sergeant; you see there’s a sight o’ differ 
twixt bein’ scared outen your life and bein’ 
a coward; it takes a rale brave man, I tell you, 
to be shakin’ wid fear and yit not run. I’ve 
niver sarved but wid wan rale downright 
coward, an’ sure he paid dear enough for 
it — God forgive him ! ” 

Tell us about it,” cried both children in 
unison. 

Tattoo had sounded some time before. A 
silvery moon was just coming up over the 
top of the main divide, but Jack and Dee, 
absorbed in the sergeant’s thrilling reminis- 
cences, had lost all account of time, and Mc- 
Ginnis was as bad; it was not often he had 


Jack's Friends. 


39 


such an appreciative audience. The old man 
filled his little black clay pipe, gave a puff, 
and then began: 

It happened long before yous was born; 
^vay out in old Fort Laramie. The Injuns 
was pretty bad around there; we dassnH leave 
the fort for a swim or a fish in the lodge 
pole, for fear some poor chap wad be picked 
off; an’ whin the ladies wanted to go fer a 
ride they took a whole throop of cavalry fer 
escort. Your ma will remember thim days, 
Jack. We used to burn wood thin; the 
government didn’t use coal, and ivery stick 
as was burned in the fort we soldiers cut and 
sawed. 

The wood reservation was about forty 
miles out, and wan throop at a time would git 
the saw-mill detail, as we called it, an’ the 
men hated it worst kind. Well, ^ B ’ throop’s 
turn cum at last, but the worst of it was, the 
captain he was off on leave, and the first 
liftenant was down at Cheyenne on court- 
martial duty, so it left the new second lif- 
tenant in command. He had not long jined 
from civil life, an’ he didn’t know as much 
about soldiering as Miss Dee here. ^ Rib- 
bons ’ the men called him, for they said as 


Jac¥s Friends. 


40 

how he had bin a clerk in a dhry-goods 
shtore. 

I was a lance corporal^ on me good be- 
havior thrying hard for chevrons. Ivery- 
thing wint well until the second day out, to- 
wards evening. The liftenant he beckoned 
me, an’ sez, sez he, ^ Corporal, we’ll ride ahead 
a bit an’ choose a camp.’ 

^ Very good, sor,’ sez I, salutin’; an’ I 
rode afther him widout a word, though I 
wanted the worst way in the world to tell 
him that it wasn’t the safest plan in the world 
in an Injun counthry for two to ride ahead 
an’ choose a camp. 

We rode ahead a few miles; the trail 
there ran right through a deep narrow canon 
wid thick scrub oaks on aither side of it, whin 
all of a suddent pop-pop ! wint a dozen rifles, 
an’ me poor baste just gave wan groan an’ 
dropped dead; me shoulder had a bullet in 
it, an’ me lift leg was bleeding like a shtuck 
pig. The liftenant wasn’t so much as hit, but 
he was scared to death, as white as a sheet, an’ 
trimblin’ so he could hardly sit his horse. 

^ I’m hit, sor,’ ” sez I. 

^ Yes, yes, I know,’ sez he, his teeth chat- 
tering; ^ but there’s no use in two of us be- 


Jack^s Friends, 


41 


in^ killed. I can’t do anything to help you, 
corporal, so I’ll just try an’ save me own life.’ 
Wid that he clapped his spurs into his horse 
and dashed off. 

^ Fer God’s sake, liftenant, don’t lave me 
to thim red divils, helpless as I am. Yer 
horse will carry double, sor’; but I might as 
well have talked to the wind. He niver paid 
no attention to me; he was that rattled he 
raley didn’t know phwat he was doin’, but 
dashed up the side of the divide with rifle 
bullets singing after him, an’ that was the 
last I saw of him. 

I said me act of contrition; you’ll be 
after knowin’ phwat that is. Jack — ” 

I do, too, sergeant,” chimed in Dee. 

Expectin’ to breathe me last ivery mo- 
ment; they must have thought the whole 
throop was just behind us, for no Injun 
would believe as two white men would be 
sich fools as to venture out, jist two on ’em. 
Pretty soon it got dark, and I managed to 
creep into the bush and covered mesilf with 
dirt and tumble-weeds. My wounds was 
bleeding awful and afore long I got faint 
and I didn’t know nothing fer a long time. 

‘ lay hid all that night and the nixt 


42 


Jack's Friends. 


day, wondering what had become of the rist 
of the escort, fur not a sign o’ thim had I 
seen. 

Suddenly towards evening of the second 
day I heered a bugle sound. ^ It’s Paddy 
Kyan blowin’ that,’ thinks I, fur I knowed 
his touch; and thin I had sinse enough left, 
though I was kind o’ half crazy, phwat wid 
the thirst and me wounds, to fire me pistol 
and shout as loud as I could. 

Soon I heered the quick, even noise — 
thump, thump ! thump, thump ! of a throop 
o’ cavalry trotting; I dragged mesilf out on 
to the road, and faith, if it wasn’t me own 
throop, with Liftenant Darbey in comman’ 
(he is a major now), and they wor out search- 
ing fur me and ^ Eibbons,’ God rist his sowl ! 

It turned out that the detail for the saw 
mill had had a fight with the same band of 
Injuns as attacked us; but they had beaten 
them back and made a dash for the fort 
durin’ the night, reportin’ me and the lif- 
tenant as absent. 

Well, Fm here, but the poor liftenant, 
there wasn’t much o’ him left whin they did 
find him,” concluded the sergeant solemnly. 

At this doleful ending Dee burst into vio- 


Jack^s Friends, 


48 


lent tears, declaring that she wanted her 
mamma. 

At that instant a long, clear, wailing bugle- 
note sounded. 

Why, Dee Douglass, it’s taps ! ” exclaimed 
Jack, horror-stricken at the lateness of the 
hour. 

Bless us and save us, so it is ! ’’ said old 
McGinnis. Whativer will your pa say, Jack 
dear ? ” 

They don’t know we’ve corned,” cried 
poor Dee, who couldn’t keep a secret to save 
her life. 

Thin you’re both very bad children,” said 
the old sergeant severely, though his eyea 
twinkled as he looked at the forlorn little 
figures in front of him. 

Don’t be a cry-baby. Dee,” said Jack, with 
a fine manly impatience. I’ll get you home 
safely, and tell your father it was my fault; 
it will be your father who’ll punish you, and 
my mother; that’s the difference in our fami- 
lies,” said this observing young man. 

But the great parade looked vast and aw- 
fully lonely in the summer darkness, and 
there were all kinds of queer spooky-looking 
shadows. 


44 


JacJc^s Friends. 


Clutching Dee’s hand tightly, Jack said: 

Good-night, sergeant, and thank you for 
your stories; but I do think you needn’t scold 
us. We’ll get plenty of that at home.” 

Well, I’ll forgive yous this oncet,” an- 
swered McGinnis, relenting; an’ if you cum 
agin, wid permission. I’ll tell yous the foinest 
fairy-tales yous iver heerd; an’ ivery wan 
thrue — for yous knows that the little people 
still live in old Ireland. 

But come, now, I can’t leave me post, 
but I’ll take yous over to the sintry at the 
corral, an’ he’ll see that yous git home safe, 
an’ mind yous confess yous run away.” 

Dee found an angry papa and a very 
anxious mamma hunting her distractedly up 
and down the line.” 

But she was such a tired, sleepy little peni- 
tent that they hadn’t the heart to scold her 
— ^just tucked her in bed. 

But Master Jack was rather unrepentant. 
The most he could be got to say was, he was 
sorry he’d taken Dee along — girls always 
cried, and tattled, and spoiled things any- 
way.” So, as Jack had prophesied, his 
mother undertook to punish him. He was 
ordered to keep in close arrest” all next day. 


Jack's Frie^ids, 


45 


which meant he conldn^t go any farther than 
the front porch. 

Dee was also kept in, but as cook allowed 
her to help in the ironing in the morning 
and make cookies in the afternoon, she rather 
enjoyed herself. 

Jack played that he was a brave officer un- 
justly placed in arrest, and he had great fun 
stalking up and down the front porch dressed 
in an old blouse and campaign hat of his 
father^s, with the OoloneFs best sword clank- 
ing at his heels. 

What are you up to now, J ack ? called 
his friend Mr. Belden, stopping in front of 
the ColoneFs quarters. 

Oh, nothing,^^ answered Jack sheepishly. 

W^ell, come on and Fll play catch with 
you awhile, and tell you about a fine plan for 
to-morrow.^^ 

I’m awful sorry, chum, but I can’t; I’m 
in close arrest this morning,” replied the 
small boy honestly. 

Well, well, that’s too bad,” said the young 
officer sympathetically; what scrape are you 
in now, old man ? ” 

Whereupon Jack related their adventures 
of the previous evening. But I guess what 


46 


Jockos Friends, 


I^m mostly punished for is taking Dee with 
me; girls are such tags ! ” 

You wonH mind their tagging when you 
are a bit older, chummy/^ laughed the young 
officer. I came in to ask your mother if 
you might go fishing with me to-morrow. 
And we woffit have a single girl tag 
along.^^ 

hope she^ll let me go; I think we’d 
better go right in now and try our luck/’ 
said Jack quaintly. 

Mrs. Hollingsworth, longing to forgive the 
small culprit, readily gave her permission, 
and went out at once to consult with Ap- 
polyn as to a good lunch for two hungry 
fishermen. 

We’ll have a fine time. Jack; no women 
folks along to bother us,” remarked Mr. 
Belden. 

^^Y-e-s, sir;” but it wasn’t a very en- 
thusiastic reply. 

Mr. Belden smiled, but remarked decidedly: 

Girls are a nuisance on a fishing trip.” 

Presently Jack said: ^^Dee digs bait fine, 
and she’s a dandy fisher; ’most as good as 
me.” 

Mr. Belden sighed and remarked softly. 


Jack's Friends. 


47 


^^Miss Marion does make the best deviled 
eggs for a picnic I ever tasted/^ 

There was a moments dead silence; then 
Jack, in a magnanimous outburst, exclaimed: 

Lef s ask ^em both; they aren^t so very 
bothering, for girls/^ 

Mr. Belden^s face was perfectly grave, but 
there was a twinkle in his eyes as he agreed 
to this invitation to be given to the two young 
ladies« 


CHAPTER IV. 


HOW JACK KILLED THE COUGAR. 

It was a very merry little party that 
started off on the fishing excursion about ten 
the next morning. Miss Marion^ Dee, and 
Jack were comfortably stowed away in Mrs. 
Hollingsworth^s basket phaeton, a good-sized 
hamper and fishing-rods filled up all the avail- 
able space under the seats, while Mr. Belden 
rode his big cavalry horse Major. 

They were bound for Standing Rocks, a 
favorite picnic spot, where the Buffalo broad- 
ened out into quite a respectable-sized pond 
surrounded by a growth of scrubby pines 
and oaks. The great smooth flat rocks 
which gave the place its name made capital 
tables for the picnic spreads. 

It had been a fine day for sport, the fish 
had taken the bait splendidly all morning, so 
that even Dee had actually hooked two fine 
specimens. 


48 


How Jack Killed the Cougar. 49 

When twelve o’clock came all agreed that 
it was dinner time. Miss Marion, choosing the 
largest, smoothest rock, began to unpack the 
luncheon basket and lay the table. Jack and 
Dee were busy picking up sticks for the fire, 
for Miss Marion meant to make tea. 

It’s a pity we can’t have some of our fish 
for dinner,” remarked Mr. Belden. 

Why, we could if only I had a frying- 
pan,” answered Miss Marion regretfully. 

^^We might heat stones and bake them 
Indian fashion, only it takes so everlastingly 
long, and I for one am too hungry to wait.” 

So am I,” returned the young girl laugh- 
ingly; ^^as for Jack and Dee, they are fam- 
ished.” 

Wait a minute; I know what I’ll do. I’ll 
ride over to Jonson’s dugout — it’s not a half 
mile from here — and beg, borrow, or steal a 
frying-pan from the old Swede. I’ll just 
hang my belt and pistol here; don’t let the 
youngsters touch them.” As he finished Mr. 
Belden threw them over a low hanging branch 
of a scrub oak; then unpacking Major, he 
dashed off bareback, more like a boy of fifteen 
than a dignified second lieutenant of cavalry. 

Marion and the children soon had the fire 


50 


How Jack Killed the Cougar. 


burning briskly, and she and Dee were search- 
ing along the edge of the pine grove for a 
few wild flowers to grace the table as a centre- 
piece. 

Jack stood before the fire feeding it slowly 
from time to time and thinking of McGinnis’s 
stories of the evening before. 

McGinnis says a fellow’s brave all right, 
even if he is scared to death, as long as he 
don’t run; but I bet when I grow up, I won’t 
even be scared.” 

Just then Jack’s quick ear caught the 
sound of a large soft body falling to the 
ground; the underbrush crackled sharply and 
the child caught the gleam of two wild fierce 
eyes, as a long, lithe, tawny animal stepped 
noiselessly into sight. 

Trained from his very babyhood to observe 
keenly and think quickly, the child knew in- 
stinctively what this ferocious animal was. 

cougar,” he murmured, the rosy face 
quite white and both knees shaking with a 
terrible fright. 

To do Jack justice, it was not of himself 
he was thinking, for the beast had evidently 
not seen him as yet, but stood swinging his 
cat-like tail from side to side watching Marion 


How Jack Killed the Cougar. 51 

and Dee^ who fortunately were unconscious of 
their danger. 

A conversation between Appolyn and Jerry 
which he had overheard the night before 
flashed through Jack^s mind. 

Appolyn had said she had heard a cougar 
cry; the Indian in her recognized all the cries 
of the wild creatures of the plains. 

A cougar, is it ? J erry had answered; 

an^ faith an^ Fd like a chance at his tail.^^ 

Then at the old half-breed^s puzzled look 
he had explained whimsically: 

A cougaFs near enough to a lion to make 
an Irishman enjye twisting his tail.^^ 

Dee’s happy little laugh suddenly rang out, 
and the cougar crouched, ready for the fatal 
leap. 

This baby of seven had the soul of a hero; 
he never once thought of deserting his 
womankind, for it would have been easy 
enough for him to make his escape by run- 
ning off. He must save Dee and his dear 
Miss Marion. There was Mr. Belden’s pistol; 
he could just reach it, and soon possessed 
himself of it; but how to use it — that was the 
question. 

Jack wasn’t afraid to shoot it off, for he had 


52 How Jack Killed the Cotigar, 

done so often under liis father’s or big 
brothers’ careful supervision, and had even 
fired one of the new rifles at target practice, 
using a friendly shoulder as a rest; but that 
had been fun, and this was different. 

With a sudden resolve born of desperation, 
Jack ran lightly towards the cougar, trying 
to get between it and the two girls. 

Eecognizing a new enemy the animal, with 
a fierce sort of purr or snarl, turned on him. 
Poor Jack ! he unconsciously shut both eyes 
tight, and fired. 

Two wild screams rent the air and he heard 
the rush of a horse, then for the space of a 
second or two Jack didn’t know anything. 
Presently when he opened his eyes he found 
himself on Mr. Belden’s knees, while Miss 
Marion was dabbling his face with water, and 
Dee was weeping unrestrainedly over his 
dusty shoes. 

He sat up rather dizzily, and said with 
great conviction: McGinnis was right, Mr. 
Belden; I was scared to death of that cougar, 
but I am’t a coward, ’cause I didn’t run. 
Where is he, anyway ? I thought I’d killed 
him.” 

‘^Xo, Jack, but you scared him off. 


How Jack Killed the Cougar. 53 

Cougars are covrardly animals; they seldom 
attack unless they get a victim all alone. So 
when the girls screamed and Major and I 
came rushing to the rescue, and you fired the 
pistol, it was too much for Mr. Cougar; he 
turned tail and fled.^^ 

It was rather a subdued picnic party that 
returned to the post with their thrilling tale 
of adventure, and Jack was made so much of 
and praised so highly that it did puff him up 
just a little. 

Lieutenant Belden organized a cougar hunt 
that very night, and with the aid of the 
Colonehs hounds they ran the animal down. 
They found the cougar dying, for, oddly 
enough, both of Jack^s shots had hit it; so 
the skin was brought as a reward of promise 
to Master Jack. 

Dee heard so much of ^^ How I killed the 
cougar for the next few days, that she grew 
very tired of it, and she welcomed wdth 
unusual fervor the great preparations for the 
Fourth of July, that she and Jack were mak- 
ing. 


CHAPTEE V. 


ANOTHER ADVENTURE. 

Oh^ Dolly dear, may I go ? Say yes, first; 
do, and I’ll tell you what it is afterwards/’ 
urged Jack, rushing in upon his mother one 
day not very long after his adventure with 
the cougar. 

Just promise, dearest, and I’ll tell you all 
about it,” cried the wily little diplomat. 

It’s just the safest thing ! ” he pleaded. 

If it’s any kind of an excursion I shall say 
no,” began his mother firmly, unless they 
extend no further than the quartermaster’s 
or adjutant’s office.” 

Jack’s happy face fell at once. 

Oh, darling it’s so puffectly safe, and I 
do want to go so very awfully much,” re- 
plied the little fellow with a break in his 
voice which warned his mother that the tears 
were very near. 

Nothing seems safe. Jack, where you are 
64 


Another Adventure. 


55 


concerned. Jack junior, I never knew a boy 
of your age who possessed a like capacity for 
getting into scrapes. I don^t really feel 
happy, little son, with you out of my sight,^^ 
and Mrs. Hollingsworth sighed anxiously. 

If s to go out to the wood reservation. 
Mr. Belden is detailed for this time; they are 
only going to camp out one night, and he 
has specially \ited me, and I know he^ll take 
the very bestest care of me — 

Indeed I will,’^ said a familiar voice, and 
there stood Mr. Belden, being ushered in by 
Nora. ^‘1 do hope you will let Jack go/’ he 
continued. He is not a bit of trouble and 
is capital company in the field. You must 
give me a chance to retrieve myself after that 
affair of the cougar.^^ 

I am quite sure the Colonel will want 
him to go; he does like his boys to be manly 
and independent. But to tell you the truth, 
the very thought of that cougar and of what 
might have happened to J ack, completely un- 
nerves me; and I feel as if I could not bear 
to have the child out of my sight. Jack is 
my baby, you know, Mr. Belden,’^ finished 
Mrs. Hollingsworth. 

Let him go — ^just this time,^^ said the 


56 


Another Adventure. 


young officer persuasively, and I will prom- 
ise not to let Jack out of my sight once/^ 
Well, I will let the Colonel decide, and 
will send you word by the orderly right after 
luncheon; but remember your promise — not 
out of your sight once.^^ 

^^ThaCs just as good as yes,^^ said Jack in 
a subdued whisper of delight, as he followed 
his friend out on the porch. Daddy will 
surely let me go.’^ 

And so it proved, for when the cavalry de- 
tachment rode off the next morning early. 
Jack, by the side of Lieutenant Belden, was 
at their head. 

It was a perfect morning for a march; a 
slight rain had fallen the night before, just 
enough to lay the dust and make the prairie 
road as hard and smooth as a park driveway, 
while a soft breeze brought out the strong 
briny smell that prairie grass and flowers seem 
to possess. 

Prairie-dogs innumerable sat on their 
haunches in front of their holes and barked 
fiercely as the troopers trotted briskly by. 
Once they started up a big brown coyote, and, 
with the dogs in hot pursuit, ran him to 
earth beneath the rocks. 


Another Adventure. 


57 


About four miles out the post road crossed 
the main stage-road from Alton, the nearest 
railroad town, about fifty miles south. Com- 
ing slowly down it they saw a dilapidated 
emigrant wagon; the dingy white canvas 
covers were drawn down tight, and the only 
signs of life that appeared were two hungry- 
looking curs beneath the wagon, which barked 
savagely as Jack and Mr. Belden rode up. 

The elumsy-looking vehicle stopped as they 
approached, and a dirty, stolid-looking man 
peered out from the driver^s seat and 
drawled out, Say, be you uns from the 
fort ? 

Yes; what do you want ? answered Mr. 
Belden curtly. 

You ain’t Doc Brown, be you ? ” 

^^No; vrhy do you ask?” answered the 
young officer. 

Wall, my little gal in there,” pointing his 
dirty finger towards the interior of the 
wagon, ^^she fell outen o’ the back o’ the 
waggin, an’ Ma she thinks as she’s broke her 
arm; leastways she cries an’ hollers ef we try 
to tech it.” 

Here the sound of low, pitiful sobbing 
caught their ears. 


58 


Another Adventure, 


Thar, she’s at it now, an’ there ain’t no 
stoppin’ of her; keeps that up day and night. 
Some folks over to Dade’s ranch telled Ma 
as thar was a doctor over to the camp as 
would do the doctorin’ free; so that’s whar 
we air bound. Ma she jist wud hev us to go, 
but I faver goin’ on to Alton. I ain’t cal- 
culatin’ on travellin’ any more than I can 
help.” 

During this conversation Jack had made 
his way to the back of the wagon from whence 
those pitiful sounds came. Without any cere- 
mony he pushed up the curtain flap and 
peered in. 

Lying on some straw covered with a torn 
old bedquilt was a little girl of about four 
years. Her long golden curls were matted 
and tangled, her cheeks flushed and her eyes 
bright with fever, but in spite of neglect and 
dirt she was really a beautiful little thing 
and it did not seem possible that she couH 
be the child of the squalid-looking man driv- 
ing and the careworn old woman who sat by 
the little thing’s side vainly trying to hush 
the child’s moans. 

Jack’s heart swelled with intense sym- 
pathy, and he cried out impulsively, Oh, 


Another Adventure, 


59 


can^t I help you ? Can^t I do something for 
the poor little girl ? 

The woman looked at the gallant little 
figure, the sweet sensitive face with the great 
serious blue eyes shining with sincere sym- 
pathy, and involuntarily her hard face sof- 
tened a little. I dunno as yer can do any- 
thing. Most likely she’ll go like all the rest 
o’ them; we’ve buried eight, all the way 
from Missourie to Oregon.” 

Jack’s face flushed up indignantly. She 
shan’t die!” he burst out. ^^Dr. Brown will cure 
her arm, and my mamma will nurse her and 
make her well; I know she will if I ask her.” 

Yes, if he was there to see after this 
little child; but he wouldn’t be, and perhaps 
his mamma would never know they were in 
the post. If he were only there ! 

Hello, J ack, what’s the matter now ? ” 
cried Mr. Belden, who had just ridden around 
to see the invalid, and caught sight of Jack’s 
face. 

I’m going back to the post, sir,” replied 
the boy quietly. 

Going back ! ” cried the astonished young 
officer, why, you have been longing to go 
on this trip for a whole year ! ” 


60 


Another Adventure. 


I know, sir/^ and J ack^s voice quavered 
a little; but I think Fd better go back and 
look after this sick child/’ 

Nonsense ! ” was just on the tip of Mr. 
Belden’s tongue, but there vras such a sweet 
look on the little lad’s face that the officer 
only said: Humph ! Well, I’ll have to go 
with you, for I promised your mother I 
wouldn’t let you out of sight. Wait a min- 
ute and I’ll give Sergeant Dolan his orders, 
and we’ll ride back with our friends here.^ 
When, two hours later, Mrs. Hollingsworth, 
sitting on the front porch watching guard 
mounting, saw this strange little cavalcade 
draw up in front of the hospital, she was sure 
her worst fears were realized and that Jack 
was hurt. She fairly flew across the parade 
ground, only to have the situation explained 
by Mr. Belden; for Jack had gone to the 
doctor’s office, while he was examining the 
poor broken arm. 

Bless the baby!” cried Jack’s mamma, 
^^I wouldn’t disappoint Jack’s trusting heart 
for all the world. That child shall have all 
the beef tea and wine jelly that she can pos- 
sibly take; and thank you, Mr. Belden, for 
coming away back with my boy.” 


Another Adventure, 


61 


Oli^ a promise is a promise, Mrs. Holl- 
ingsworth/^ said Mr. Belden, laughing; but 
don’t tell the Colonel, for I have really de- 
serted my command, and I shall have to do 
some hard riding to overtake it. Tell 
Jack if he needs any money for his proteges 
to put me down for a fiver.” And Mr. Bel- 
den darted off just in time to escape the 
Colonel’s keen eyes. 

What’s all this about Jack’s coming back, 
Dolly ^ ” he asked. Wasn’t that Belden ? ” 

Was it ? ” returned Mrs. Colonel inno- 
cently; these young men all look so alike. 
But come, John, let us go in and help Jack 
with his injured charge.” 

Yes, yes, my dear; but that certainly did 
look like Mr. Belden.” 


CHAPTEE VI. 

THE DONATION PAKTY. 

The idea originated with Miss Marion, who 
had become quite as interested in Jack^s for- 
lorn family as he could wish for. 

The woman’s story was soon told; her hus- 
band belonged to that class of restless, shift- 
less people known in the West as movers.” 
They had been on the road five years and 
over, and had travelled from their home in 
Missouri out to Oregon and back again, twice, 
staying a few' months in one place and then in 
another. 

The life had been too much for the chil- 
dren and they had lost eight then, as the 
woman told Jack. 

when Louezy got hurt I jest gin 
up,” the poor mother said. 

What do you call your little girl ? ” asked 
Mrs. Hollingsworth kindly. 

Louezy, ma’am; she was bom in the hos- 
62 


The Donation Party, 


63 


pital in Omaha, and on the wall opposite my 
bed was the picter of a lovely queen a-coming 
down the stairs, an’ I jest took sech a fancy 
to that picter that I had my little gal chris- 
tened after her.” 

Poor Queen Louise ! ” murmured Mrs. 
Hollingsworth. I hope your little name- 
sake will have a more peaceful life than yours 
was.” 

The Halsey family were out ” of every- 
thing in the way of eatables, so Marion had 
proposed this donation party,” as she called 
it; it certainly was an original affair, if not 
quite a swell society function. Every one 
who came had to bring something in the way 
of groceries and provisions. 

The party w^as given in the big post hop- 
room, at one end of which was a small but 
complete stage. 

The audience after depositing their tick- 
ets ” with Mr. Belden, who occupied the box- 
office — i. e., a huge quartermaster table from 
the mess hall — were seated before the vividly 
painted drop-curtain, the work of a gifted 
and artistic extra-duty man. 

‘The scene presented was a sort of Custer 
massacre in miniature. It was so realistic. 


64 


The Donation Party, 


witli its scalped and dying soldiers, its fierce 
Indian warriors in war-paint and feathers, that 
Dee had wailed with terror at first seeing it. 

But Jack had only coolly and rather scorn- 
fully remarked that the horses were awfully 
out of perspective. 

The entertainment consisted of a clever 
play in which half a dozen of the children 
took part, some singing by the older people, 
a medley of popular airs from the Bachelors’ 
Mandolin Club, and last but not least, a 
quaint and pretty old-country dance by Jack 
and Dee. 

When the entertainment was over and the 
originators of it were free to count their 
gains, Jack was fairly wild with delight, for 
the big table was heaped up and running 
over with useful and good things to eat. 
Each of the bachelors had brought a fifty- 
pound sack of flour, for part of the fun was 
the rule that every one must himself actually 
bring the price of admission; what they 
brought was left to individual generosity. 
The Colonel had entered with a fine ham 
hung from either arm. Mrs. Hollingsworth 
had brought a dainty pale-blue wrapper and a 
pair of bedroom slippers for the little invalid. 


The Donation Party. 


65 


Mamina, it must be something to eat ! 
expostulated Jack. 

^^Yes, little son, I know; but these were 
so much easier to carry; and I mean to take 
them over to the hospital after your party is 
over. Jerry is bringing my contribution 
over — some straw^berry jam for your ^ lame 
child that w^as the name Jack had given 
Louezy. 

Well, that^s better, exclaimed the small 
boy, quite mollified. 

Mrs. Hollingsworth disappeared after the 
performance and they were just wondering 
where she could be, when she and Dr. Brown 
came hurrying in. 

Well, I think our young ^ good Samari- 
tan ^ ought to be well satisfied with to-night^s 
work,^^ called out Mr. Belden. 

What did you call me ? interrupted 
Jack. 

Go and read your Bible, young man, and 
don’t ask questions,” returned the young offi- 
cer teasingly. 

But here Mrs. Hollingsworth’s voice broke 
in: Oh, Jack, I have come with the best 

gift of all. Dr. Brown has persuaded 
Louise’s father and mother to leave the child 


66 


The Donation Party. 


with him for a time, until they settle down 
and make some sort of a decent home. The 
doctor has told them that the little thing will 
need the most careful attention for the next 
year; she is very frail. I am more glad than 
I can say that we may look after the child; 
she has stolen into my heart, as she has every 
one’s else.” And Mrs. Hollingsworth smiled 
and then sighed, for the thought of her own 
little dead baby daughter being placed as this 
child was, wrung her tender heart. 

Doctor, you’re a trump,” said Mr. Belden, 
shaking one hand hard. 

Marion excitedly seized the other, saying. 
Oh, you darling!” while Jack, who was 
strictly up to date in his slang, murmured. 
He’s a peach ! ” 

Honsense, nonsense, good people ! ” cried 
the doctor. You’re making a mountain out 
of a molehill. I’m taking the child for 
purely professional reasons, and my house- 
keeper is growing fat and lazy for want of 
work; the child will liven her up a bit.” 

The very next day the mover” and his 
poor wife started on their Western Journey 
again. The mother seemed heart-broken at 
parting from her little girl, but she wouldn’t 


The Donation Party. 


67 


desert her husband, and he could not be in- 
duced to remain at the post. 

For a few days Louise wept and fretted for 
her mother, but she soon became reconciled 
and began to enjoy thoroughly her new life. 

The day after the donation party the 
Colonel met Jack going across the parade in 
the direction of the hospital, carrying his 
small dime savings bank and a bottle of a 
queer-looking mixture. 

What are you doing. Jack exclaimed 
his father wonderingly. 

Jack blushed a little, but answered hon- 
estly: ^^Fm trying to do like the good Sa- 
maritan; I looked it up in the Bible. Mr. 
Belden said I was one, an^ he took oil and 
wine. Appolyn gave ^em to me, when I 
splained what I wanted to do with them. I 
took my bank ^cause I didn't know how much 
two shillings was; do you, daddy ? I hope 
it wonT take it all,” shaking his bank anx- 
iously, ^^for Fve been saving up for the 
Fourth of July ever since Christmas.” 

The Colonel, amused and touched, re- 
assured his small son and sent him on his 
way rejoicing. 


CHAPTEE Vn. 

JACK EAKNS FIVE DOLLARS. 

Jack^s letter to the President weighed 
upon his mind heavily; it was almost more of 
a secret than his seven years could keep. Oc- 
casionally he threw out a mysterious hint or 
two to Dee, which made the little girl wildly 
curious. 

You got a secret ? she asked reproach- 
fully, for heretofore they had always shared 
their secrets as they did their candy. 

I have, and iPs a dandy one, too.^^ 

If Yellow Bird does go on the war-path, 
Dee,’^ announced Jack one morning as he and 
Dee sat dabbling their toes in the irrigating 
ditch that ran the length of the line.^^ 

Little boys aren^t allowed to fight, re- 
turned the young lady crushingly. 

Humph ! didn’t I kill that cougar, and 
didn’t I just lick that agent’s boy Jonas ? 

68 


Jack Earns Five Dollars. 


69 


Just give me a chance, and I’ll fight him 
again.” 

Pooh ! what do you know about fighting, 
Jack Hollingsworth ? ” 

Lots; our whole family are fighters. 
Dick needn’t think he’s the only fellow in 
the family that’s going to West Point. 
The Quincys and the Hollingsworths have 
always been soldiers.” Jack was quoting 
his mother now, word for word, as he had a 
quaint little way of doing; and Mrs. Colonel 
was well up in ancestry, being an ardent 
D. A. R.” 

My great-great — well, a lot of greats — 
grandfather Quincy was captured by In- 
dians while his father and mother had gone 
to church; the Indians kept him a long, long 
time as a ^ hostiage of war.’ They made the 
^ great-greats,’ and some of the other settlers 
near them, pay them a lot, and it was only 
when the governor threatened to send the 
soldiers against them that the Indians 
brought him back — and he was just a little 
boy like me. Now, Dee, if Yellow Bird was 
smart he might try a plan like that; just ride 
into this post some day, grab up a child, and 
ride off before the sentrels could stop him; 


70 


Jack Earns Five Dollars, 


then when he had his people hidden up in 
the mountains where no one could find 
them, he’d send a message to daddy and say 
he’d keep you — we’ll spose he’d grabbed you 
— until the President sent off Jenkins.” 

Yes,” replied Dee, looking nervously 
around, ^^but I don’t want them to grab 
me; they’d better take you. Boys would be 
better.” 

Perhaps they would,” assented Jack; 
‘Hhey wouldn’t be cry-babies anyway. But 
I don’t believe it will be necessary for the 
Indians to wait much longer, for I wr — ” 
Jack stopped short; he had almost let the 
important secret escape him. 

What did you say ? What can you do 
about it ? ” began Dee curiously. 

Oh, nothing,” said Jack; then changing 
the subject, Come in my house and I’ll show 
you my list for the Fourth of July. We just 
celebrate this year, I tell you; you know it’s 
my birthday too, and I’m going to have a 
regular Fourth-of-July party — lots of fire- 
crackers for the boys and torpedoes for the 
girls.” 

I shall have firecrackers,” put in Dee 
promptly. 


Jack Earns Five Dollars. 


71 


Well, I guess the tomboys can have them,” 
replied Jack teasingly. 

I mean to have them,” answered Dee 
coolly. ^^When you go to confession. Jack 
Hollingsworth, I know one thing — Father 
Sayre wonH allow you to tease me and make 
me mad and cry.” 

^^Pooh, miss, you don^t know anything 
about it; only Catholics know about con- 
fession,” said Jack loftily. 

do know about it. Nurse told me es- 
zackly what you do; and when you go, Fm 
going — ^so there ! ” 

You canH” protested Jack. 

I can,” replied the young lady. 

You can^t.” 

I can.” 

Can^t.” 

Can.” 

Hello, hello here, what is all this ^ can- 
ning ^ about ? ” and a gentle hand was laid 
on each angry little head, and a tall, fine- 
looking young priest stood gazing at the chil- 
dren with such a contagious sort of a smile 
that involuntarily both red angry little faces 
smoothed out, and the children had the grace 
to look ashamed of themselves. 


72 


Jack Earns Five Dollars. 


^^Protestants can’t go to confession, can 
they, Father Sayre ? asked Jack. 

^^Well, they don’t often want to. Jack,” 
admitted the young priest cautiously, while 
his eyes twinkled merrily. 

Mamma said I might,” insisted Dee. 

Well, we’ll see about it, Dee; it would be 
hard to let Jack get ahead of you even in 
confession, wouldn’t it ? ” replied Father 
Sayre smiling. Jack, I hope you know the 
Confiteor by heart, and I also hope your 
Latin pronunciation has improved since my 
last visit.” 

^^Well, I know most of it. Father. Mr. 
Belden’s heard me every day most; but it’s 
a funny language. Daddy talks it one way, 
Mr. Belden another, and you a different way 
still.” 

^^Yes, I know it’s hard; but you can’t be 
an altar-boy for me until you have learned 
it, so I shall have to think of some plan to 
make it easy, for I would like to have you 
serve for me this next Sunday.” 

I’ll try awful hard. Father,” said the little 
fellow wistfully. 

How’s your bank ? I heard that the 


Jack Earns Five D jilars, 


73 


^good Samaritan^ had helped himself rather 
liberally from its fimds/^ 

If s so empty it rattles/^ replied J ack 
impressively; but I don^t care, for it 
buyed Louise a lot of things/^ 

You’d been saving up ever since Christ- 
mas-time for the Fourth, hadn’t you ? ” 

Yes, Father.” 

^^Well, I’ll tell you. Jack, if you can re- 
cite the Confiteor perfectly in Latin when 
you come to confession Saturday afternoon 
I’ll drop a five-dollar gold piece in that bank 
of yours.” 

Jack’s gratitude at this liberal offer was 
unbounded, and he fairly flew in the house 
then and there to begin studying at once. 

I really felt rather guilty,” laughed 
Father Sayre, in telling Mrs. Hollingsworth 
of his offer to Jack, when that young man 
had gone most reluctantly to bed. 

Yes, I should think you might,” agreed 
Mrs. Hollingsworth, trying to look severely 
at the young priest’s handsome smiling face. 
Mrs. Hollingsworth, though a great deal older 
than Father Sayre, had known him all her 
life, for their fathers’ plantations away down 
on the eastern shore ” touched, and the two 


74 


Jach Earns Five Dollars. 


families^ like most others in that favored dis- 
trict, were even related and consined each 
other. 

Well, I only meant, Cousin Honoria, 
that I felt guilty in accepting such fervent 
thanks from the youngster; for I am really 
afraid it was only half a dozen for Jack and 
six for myself. I do love the Fourth — fire- 
crackers and all the rest of the fun.’’ 

^•^Yes, I remember well when you as cap- 
tain of the ‘^Lee Cadets’ stole the old Con- 
federate cannon from the court-house one 
Fourth of July and brought them away out to 
our plantations and fired a midnight salute 
that blew up the cannon and nearly did the 
same to the Lee Cadets, and scared us women- 
folks almost to death. How angry my father 
was ! Billy was ihe baby then, and it was 
the first time my husband and I had been 
home since the war.” 

Father Sayre laughed heartily: Fm afraid 
I was not a model in the days of my youth; 
I remember that prank very well — also the 
punishment I got.” 

Do you remember that ancient old 
prophecy your ancestors brought over from 
England ? 


Jack Earns Five Dollars, 


75 


“ ‘ Qod*s blessyng eke shall rest on all born of Sayre 
blude, 

While it giveth a soldier to the sword and eke one 
to Christ's Rood.' 


Who could possibly have foretold that 
you, the wild harum-scarum, always in some 
scrape, should be the priest, and Cecil, the 
meek and mild, should blossom out into a 
full-blown dashing cavalryman ? 

I am a soldier too, cousin — a soldier of 
the cross, as the old couplet runs. Truly, 
God^s ways are not ours.'’^ And a look of in- 
finite peace and sweetness stole over the 
young priesf s fine features. 

The week passed all too quickly for Jack 
and Dee. Father Sayre was their constant 
companion, and the two children trotted after 
him as he visited his numerous but scattered 
parishioners. During the week Eunning 
Horse^s newest pappoose was baptized, with 
Jack as godfather and Marion Worden as 
godmother. Eunning Horse had invited Mr. 
Belden to stand, but that young officer had 
hastily declined. Father Sayre, of course, 
officiated. 

The little Indian was christened John Hoi- 


76 


Jach Earns Five Dollars. 


lingsworth Eiinning Horse in honor of the 
Colonel, and Mrs. Colonel sent Madame Run- 
ning Horse a hamper of really lovely baby 
clothes. x\s the poor squaw saw the warm 
flannels, the pretty white dresses, and the 
dainty little wrappers, her eyes fllled with 
tears. The poor untutored tongue was 
speechless, but the grateful mother-heart 
caused her to seize Mrs. Hollingsworth’s hand 
and kiss it warmly. 

You have made two people very happy 
to-day, cousin,” said Father Sayre as he sat 
down to dinner that evening, ^^and have 
made two friends for life in Mr. and Mrs. 
Running Horse. I saw them as I came in 
this evening parading up and down ^ laundress 
row,’ with John H. junior attired in one of 
the gorgeous new wrappers or coats, or what- 
ever you call it.” 

I am glad it pleased the poor things; 
Marion and I really enjoyed making them.” 

I shall have to teach the little kid his 
catechism and prayers when he gets old 
enough, won’t I ?” queried Jack. 

^^Yes, my son, especially the ConfiteoVy in 
Latiuy^ responded Father Sa3rre. 


Jack Earns Five Dollars, 


77 


Oh, don’t you worry over that, Father ! 
Fll have my five-dollar gold piece all right 
to-morrow, you see if I don’t.” 

I hope you will, young man, and I only 
wish I could be here to help you with your 
Fourth-of-July fun.” 

Oh, can’t you. Father ? ” cried Jack, sor- 
rowfully. 

Come, Father Sayre, we can’t let you off,” 
Joined in the Colonel; and Once we get you 
we mean to keep you,” said Mrs. Hollings- 
worth. 

^^Well, let me see; the Fourth comes on 
Sunday — next Sunday too. What day will 
you celebrate here in the post ? ” 

Monday,” returned the Colonel, for 
Saturday is always a holiday anyway.” 

Well, perhaps then I can manage it. I 
promised the Sisters at the agency that I 
would help their scholars observe the day 
patriotically, but they mean to celebrate on 
Saturday. Couldn’t some of you drive over 
to the agency and spend the day ? and I will 
return with you; ” and finally the matter was 
so arranged. 

Saturday dawned at last, and Jack, in his 
efforts to prepare himself well for his first 


78 


Jack Earns Five Dollars. 


confession, and also to learn by heart the 
Confiteor, was rather trying to his family. 

Coming in from her morning drive Mrs. 
Hollingsworth heard Jack^s voice issuing from 
the day-nursery in a curious sort of a mo- 
notonous chant; peeping in she discovered 
him in his pale blue blanket dressing-gown 
(this evidently represented a cassock) stand- 
ing in front of the pretty oratory gravely 
chanting the Confiteor over and over again, 
while reposing, in the rocking-chair was 
McGinty,^^ a huge but dilapidated rag doll, 
the well-beloved of Jack^s babyhood, which he 
had played with, and loved and fondled; 
even now in the strict privacy of his own 
room, or in bed — for the doll always slept in 
JacFs own little white bed — McGinty was a 
prime favorite. 

Now, McGinty, how was that ? You see 
I do know it through, without a mistake; 
and now see if I know my confession.^^ Down 
went the boy plump on his knees; then with 
a perfectly grave and reverent little face he 
began: Father, bless me, for I have sinned.^^ 

But here his mother slipped quietly away, 
her eyes wet with sudden tears. The sweet 
innocence of a child,” she murmured. God 


Jaclc Earns Five Dollars. 


79 


grant that 3^ou may never have a more serious 
confession to make, my little son ! 

Perhaps Grod has chosen my boy for the 
better part; he too may be a soldier of the 
cross/^ she thought, with the tender loving 
mother-pride that hopes and plans and strives 
to see into the dim future. The dear child, 
he looked like an angel — so spiritual and 
devout ! 

But her tender thoughts received rather a 
shock that evening, when J ack came flying up 
to her room just before dinner with this an- 
nouncement: made a dandy confession, 

Dolly dear ! Father Sayre’s a peach, and I 
wasn’t a bit scared and I didn’t get rattled 
at all. Once when I stopped to remember 
some more sins Father Sayre said, ^ Do you 
ever tell tales ? ’ and I said, ^ No, I don’t, but 
Dee does;’ that was the only break I made, 
for of course you mustn’t tell other people’s 
sins, I know; only that just kind of slipped 
out.” 

Oh, young America,” smiled Mrs. Hol- 
lingsworth to herself, ^^with your slang and 
yet honesty and purity of motive, what 
would Madame D’Arblay think if she could 
hear my son talking of making a ^ dandy ’ 


80 


Jach Earns Five Dollars. 


confession and calling his confessor a 
^ peach ^ ! However, I shan^t mind so long 
as the small penitent is as genuinely honest 
and sincere as Jack is/^ 

At confession that afternoon J ack had said 
his Confiteor in Latin right through without 
a single mistake, and in the evening after 
dinner he repeated it again, much to his 
father’s delight; so when Father Sayre pro- 
duced a shining five-dollar gold piece, the re- 
ward he had promised Jack, the Colonel did 
likewise, and the young man felt quite like a 
bloated bondholder, for he had sufficient 
money to buy out the post exchange in the 
matter of fireworks. 

It began to rain not long after dinner, and 
the evening, as it often does on the plains, 
set in so cool and raw that Mrs. Hollings- 
worth ordered a wood fire started in the 
den,” and they all gathered around its 
cheery blaze talking over old times as 
grown-ups” are wont to do; and Jack 
was an eager, absorbed little listener, 
for all three — priest, soldier, and matron — 
had seen much of the world and of men and 
women. 

So when Jack proposed that each one tell a 


Jack Earns Five Dollars, 


81 


story^ a bran-new one that he had never heard, 
they smilingly agreed. Jack made them draw 
straws for first turn, which fell to Mrs. Hol- 
lingsworth. 

Have some war and fighting in it, Dolly 
dear,” he urged. 

Well, it begins with plenty of both,” she 
answered, and I shall call it 


CAPTIVE KNIGHT.” 

good name, my dear; I admit I sur- 
rendered fully and completely thirty-five 
years ago to the prettiest girl on the ^ eastern 
shore, ^ even though she was a hot-headed 
little rebel in short skirts,” said the Colonel 
gallantly. 

Nonsense, John, I was only a child of 
fourteen; and besides, you are telling my 
story before I have half begun,” replied Mrs. 
Hollingsworth; but she blushed and looked 
as pleased as a girl. 

Were you the little rebel, Dolly, and was 
daddy a knight ? ” asked Jack curiously. 

You shall hear the tale for yourself, little 
son.” 


82 


Jack Earns Five Dollars* 


^^And I will tell the sequel/^ interrupted 
the Colonel, thoroughly entering into the 
spirit of the proposed evening’s amusement. 
Now you begin, my dear.” 


CHAPTEE VIII. 


A CAPTIVE KNIGHT. 

^^It was the very last of August, 1862/^ 
began Mrs. Hollingsworth, when Lee’s 
forces had met General Pope’s army and 
defeated him in the second battle of Bull 
Kun. 

^ Stonewall ’ Jackson was the idol of the 
South, the personal hero of every man, woman, 
and child of Southern sympathy in Maryland. 

How exultingly we sang ^ Maryland, my 
Maryland,’ waved our Confederate flags of 
home manufacture, and ate without a mur- 
mur our restricted menu of corned beef and 
corn bread. 

^^My father and three brothers were all 
serving in the Confederate Army, and my 
mother and myself, with Maum Sue and 
Moses the butler, were alone in the house, a 
few only of the other slaves having remained 
83 


84 


A Captive Knight, 


faithful, and these lived over in the quarters 
— I don^t think you can remember very 
much about those times, cousin ? asked Mrs. 
Hollingsworth of Father Sayre. 

Very little, I confess,^^ he answered; 
and yet there were some few incidents that 
impressed themselves upon my mind very 
vividly, such as the visit of a Union foraging 
party which carried off every pig and chicken 
on the plantation.^^ 

Yes, I remember,^^ laughed Mrs. Hollings- 
worth, also the results of that expedition; 
you were all reduced to the corned-beef and 
^ pone ^ diet that we had been living on at 
our place for such a long time. How you 
boys — you and your two brothers — hated it ! 
Your mother used to have your old nurse 
Aunt Jenny spank all of you three times a 
day to make you eat it. Your mother 
thought it positively necessary for your 
health that you should eat meat three times 
a day.^^ 

Yes,” said Father Sayre laughing heart- 
ily, as did the Colonel and Jack, at the idea 
of small boys having to be spanked into eat- 
ing their meals. And do you know,” he 
continued, ^^that though I really cannot re- 


A Captive Knight. 


85 


member having to eat it, the sight or smell 
of corned beef is nauseating to me to this 
very day; as for corn bread, I might enjoy 
it if I were starving, but not otherwise/^ 

I feel very much that way in regard to 
sweet potatoes, of which we had an abundant 
crop every year of the war, and which my 
mother insisted upon my eating; I simply 
can^t touch them now. Well, to go back to 
our war and fighting, which Jack has re- 
quested — it was about this time that Lee 
crossed the Potomac above Washington, be- 
lieving that thousands of Marylanders would 
flock to Join him in his proposed march to 
Philadelphia; but in this idea, as we know, 
he was sadly mistaken. 

^^It was the middle of September that 
^StonewalP Jackson captured HarpePs Ferry, 
and then came a terrible period of suspense to 
my mother and me, for all our dear ones were 
with Lee and Jackson. 

On the 17th of September the battle of 
Antietam, one of the bloodiest of the whole 
war, was fought. As an eye-witness describes 
it, ^ The bodies of the boys in blue and the 
^^boys in gray^^ lay in ranks like swaths of 
grass cut by the scythe.^ 


86 


A Captive Knight, 


^^News of the terrible fight reached us 
through the negroes, hut no stragglers or 
scouting parties of either army had as yet 
invaded our peaceful home, when one evening 
about dusk I was returning from spending 
the afternoon with your mother, cousin, 
when just as I reached the oak grove half way 
between our two plantations I heard the 
sound of rapid firing near me, and two troops 
of Union cavalry appeared on the summit 
of Holly’s hill, hotly pursued by a force 
of Confederates who greatly outnumbered 
them. 

They were so near and the light was yet 
so plain that I could distinguish the faces of 
the two leaders: the Confederate was gray- 
haired and old, but the Yankee commander 
looked a mere boy, and I began to feel dread- 
fully sorry for him — ” 

Well, I was rather youthful,” here re- 
marked the Colonel. ^^You know my class 
was graduated from West Point a year ahead 
of time; I was only nineteen when I got my 
commission.” 

Then and there, right before my horror- 
stricken eyes, a desperate fight took place. 
The Federals were entirely outnumbered, but 


A Captive Knight, 


87 


they would not give up, making a stubborn 
stand behind some trees. I closed my eyes 
for an instant, but a fierce yell of triumph 
made me open them to see that the boy offi- 
cer was desperately wounded or dead; he had 
fallen from his horse, and this completed the 
rout of the Federals; they broke and scat- 
tered in confusion. The Confederates, only 
pausing to carry off their wounded, dashed 
after them. 

It seemed an age, but in reality the whole 
affair had not lasted ten minutes. Child as I 
was, I felt that those wounded, helpless men 
must not be left without immediate assist- 
ance; so mounting my old pony I rode rap- 
idly to several near-by farmhouses for help; 
many of the poor-class white farmers were 
secretly Union sympathizers. Then I rode 
wildly home and summoned our faithful old 
black butler Moses to help me carry the 
wounded officer to our house. The old fel- 
low got Maum Sue, who was as strong as a 
man, and together carrying a shutter, the 
usual improvised litter in emergencies, they 
hurried off, I following slowly. We had Jias- 
tily decided to bring the wounded officer into 
the house as secretly as possible, for the negro 


88 


A Captive Knight 


field-hand would talk, and he would not be 
safe nor would we, if it were known that we 
were harboring a Union officer; and I could 
not regard this boy, a young fellow just like 
Billy, as an enemy. No, I would help care 
for him and keep him safely until he was 
well enough to join his own people, just as 
I hoped any Northern girl would do if one of 
my brothers were so placed. 

So thinking, I had followed slowly after 
Moses and Old Mammy, and met them re- 
turning with their still unconscious burden, 
just at the big carriage gate. As we all 
moved slowly up the long drive we saw com- 
ing around the house a negro on foot leading 
his horse, while he walked beside a tall Con- 
federate officer who would have been unable 
to sit his horse if the negro had not carefully 
and tenderly supported him. 

It did not take me long to recognize 
Billy, my youngest and favorite brother, and 
Jules, his black body-servant, who had ac- 
companied him to war. Without disturbing my 
mother we soon had both the wounded lads 
comfortably in bed, neither one knowing of 
the presence of the other, the young Union 
officer being still unconscious, and Billy half 


A Captive Knight, 89 

dead with fatigue and pain from his uncared- 
for wounds. 

For a week all went smoothly; both in- 
valids made rapid progress towards recovery 
under my mothers and Maum Sue^s skilful 
and tender nursing. We all agreed that it 
was best for the wounded officers not to know 
of each otheFs presence, and in our great 
rambling house, built in colonial times, and 
added to to meet the wants of each new gen- 
eration of Sands, it was not a difficult task as 
long as the two invalids remained confined to 
their beds. 

One Sunday morning about a week after 
their arrival, Moses came rushing into the 
dining-room exclaiming that the Yankees 
had come. My mother, thinking of Billy, 
became so agitated as to be incapable of 
thought; so seeing that the defence had de- 
volved upon me, I determined to employ 
strategy. 

Cool and calm as you please I walked out 
on the veranda and demanded haughtily to 
know what this intrusion meant. The 
Yankee captain doffed his cap politely and 
said: ^ It has been reported at our headquar- 
ters that you are harboring an officer here.’ 


90 


A Captive Knight, 


Of course he meant a Confederate ofl&cer, but 
he had not said so. ^ Yes, we have a 
wounded officer in the house/ I answered at 
once; you wish to speak to him I will 
take you to his room.’ 

The captain looked puzzled; he had evi- 
dently expected to meet with tears or resist- 
ance. Calling to a sergeant and two or three 
troopers to follow him, he went up-stairs with 
me, and I opened the door of Mr. Hollings- 
worth’s room, saying with a flourish, ^ Some 
Yatikee friends to inquire for you;’ and I left, 
but not before I heard the delighted exclama- 
tions of the two men: 

^ Well, this is a sell ! I’m after a Con- 
federate officer, and find you, Jack Hollings- 
worth, who were reported as killed or missing 
for over a week.’ 

They both laughed, and I heard my 
w^ounded Yankee say, ^ There’s no wounded 
officer here but me; you can take my word 
for it, old fellow. x\nd I really owe my life 
to that plucky little girl and her mother’s 
good nursing. You needn’t go through the 
formality of searching the house; I’ll take it 
as a personal favor if you don’t.’ 

And so that affair ended; but two or 


A Captive Knight. 91 

three days after this, old Moses came rushing 
in again to say that a body of Confederates 
were coming up the avenue. ^ They^s after 
Mars Hollysworth, Miss Honey ’ [the house 
servants never called me Miss Honoria], cried 
old Moses, who had become, darky fashion, 
very fond of the young Northerner. 

^^^Well, they shan’t have him, Moses,’ I 
answered firmly; for I had quickly decided 
to employ the same tactics I had used with 
the Federal detachment that had paid us a 
visit the week before; with a slight difference, 
however, for then my forte had been to be 
cool and indifferent in the face of the enemy, 
now I must be all welcome and enthusiasm; 
but to tell the truth, the sight of the beloved 
gray uniform nearly frightened me to death, 
for I knew that if the young Union officer 
were captured and carried off a prisoner it 
would mean death, in the# state his half- 
healed wounds were. 

^^As the soldiers, commanded by a fine- 
looking young fellow with a major’s shoulder- 
straps on, rode up to the front steps and dis- 
mounted, I rushed out to meet and welcome 
them. 


92 


A Captive Knight, 


^ How glad I am to see you ! ^ I ex- 
claimed; ^ do come right in ! ^ 

^ Thank you, Miss Sands; it is Miss 
Sands, is it not ? queried the young officer. 

I bowed a dignified assent. 

^ I am Major Carter, of the Fifth Mary- 
land Cavalry.^ 

^ Billy’s regiment ! ’ I exclaimed in genu- 
ine delight. 

He smiled as he answered, ^ Yes, I am 
in Billy Sands’ regiment and also in his bat- 
talion. But I have come on a most disagree- 
able errand, and one I am sure that will 
prove futile.’ I hope it will,’ I mentally 
ejaculated.] ^ It has been reported at our 
headquarters that you are harboring a 
wounded officer, and I have been detailed to 
search your house. It is an intensely dis- 
agreeable duty; I hope you will acquit me of 
any intentional rudeness.’ 

^ We have a wounded officer, and we have 
tried to keep his being here a secret; but come, 
I will take you to him at once.’ And I im- 
mediately led the way to Billy's room. ^ Ma- 
jor Carter, of your regiment, Billy,’ I said, 
as I opened his door. 


A Captive Knight. 


93 


^ Well, Billy Sands, are you the Yankee 
officer I have been sent to capture ? ^ 

^ I reckon so, Major,^ laughed Billy when 
the situation was explained to him; ^ I am 
the only wounded officer in this house, I as- 
sure you ! My sister is too hot a little 
Secesh to harbor anything in the shape 
of a blue uniform/ 

^ I sincerely beg your pardon. Miss Sands, 
for this unnecessary intrusion; further search 
is of course needless/ 

I thanked him, forgave him, and walked 
away delighted, but almost conscience- 
stricken, at the success of my plan. 

^^We were not troubled after this, and in 
ten days Billy was well enough to leave, 
which he did, not knowing that he left an 
enemy behind him. It was fully three weeks 
before our young Yankee officer was able to 
leave, and we all grew to like him very much; 
he told us about his home and family and of 
the little sister nearly my own age. 

Moses got a horse and a negro guide to 
take him into the Union lines, and he got 
safely off one dark night in October. Before 
leaving he asked me to give him a souvenir, 
so I took off the blue hair-ribbon that tied 


94 


A Captive Knight, 


back my curls and handed it to him saying, 
^ You are not fighting on my side, Sir Knight, 
but so long as you fight bravely and honestly 
you may wear my colors/ 

^ Thank you, my liege lady,’ he replied 
gayly. ^ Some day we shall fight on the 
same side, for you haven’t seen the last of 
your captive knight.’ 

And I hadn’t; for six years later, when 
I went to spend a year with my aunt, Mrs. 
Elliot, whose husband had been loyal to the 
TJnion and was then Colonel of the Twelfth 
Cavalry and stationed at the big gay frontier 
part of Steel, the first person I met as I 
stepped out of the ambulance was my Captive 
Knight ! ” 

When the applause had subsided the 
Colonel said: ^^Well, now I will tell the se- 
quel, as I promised; but the real hero of my 
story is a plain private soldier, to whom, un- 
der God, I owe my life and happiness. The 
story, as I shall tell it, I got from actual eye- 
witnesses. I shall call it ^Maloney’s Ma- 
donna.’ ” 


CHAPTER IX. 


MALONEY^S MADONNA. 

I RECOGNIZED my little rebel nurse as she 
stepped out of the ambulance/^ said the 
Colonel; but she was no longer a little girl 
in short skirts with hair hanging down her 
back, but a tall beautiful woman.^^ 

You must not be such a flatterer, John/^ 
interrupted Mrs. Hollingsworth blushing. 

That doesn’t express half the truth, my 
dear,” was the Colonel’s gallant response. 

Go on with your story, my dear; it will 
soon be bedtime for Jack.” 

Maloney was a fine type of the old sol- 
dier,” began the Colonel, ^^a warm-hearted 
brave old Irishman, with the one seemingly 
incurable fault of drunkenness; he w'ould 
keep perfectly sober for months and then go 
on a series of desperate sprees that would 
land him first in the guard-house and often 
in the hospital. 


95 


96 


Maloney's Madonna. 


was a great character, but such a fine 
all-round sort of a soldier that his company and 
post commander had been very lenient with 
his breaches of discipline. He was a very 
strict disciplinarian himself, and was wont to 
air his ideas for the benefit of the more 
youthful troopers. One evening Maloney sat 
in the small squad room of ^ B ^ troop ^ buck- 
ing ^ for orderly. The words ^ to buck ^ 
mean, in soldier parlance, to work very hard 
for orderly to the commanding officer, for 
this fortiinate member of the guard does not 
have to walk post. 

The old fellow was the centre of* an ad- 
miring group of stalwart young cavalrymen, 
who were listening to his philosophizings and 
at the same time trying to learn the secret 
of the high polish the old soldier always 
managed to give his gun and side arms by the 
use of a queer-looking black liquid. 

^ Discipline [with the accent on the sec- 
ond syllable] was made fer the army, an’ the 
army was made fer discipline,^ he was saying, 
as he briskly polished his belts with the mys- 
terious compound, of which, drunk or sober, 
he could not be coaxed to divulge the secret. 

^ But there’s two kinds of discipline; 


Maloney's Madonna. 97 

sure it makes a great sight differ on which 
side the picket line you are; there’s wan fer 
soldiers and rookies/’ * an’ wan fer orfer- 
cers.” An’ sure it’s not me as wad have it 
anny different.’ 

^^<My rigiment was serving in a post wid 
volunteers just the last year of the war, an’ 
thim fellows had no idee of phwat the wurrud 
meant. 

^^^Wan hitther cowld night in January I 
was walking me post, a turrihle lonely wan, 
up by the corral; me beat was to walk around 
and around thim hayshtacks, to keep the 
darkies from staling ivery blissid bit o’ the 
hay. Thinking there was no danger o’ the 
orfercer o’ the guard cornin’ fer some time — 
more shame to me ! — I crept aways in the 
hay to keep warm. Well, I niver bearin’ him, 
along cum the orfercer of the guard, a volun- 
teer feller, and sure niver a sintry cud he 
find, when all of a suddent he seed me bro- 
gans stickin’ out through the hay. 

a a p^ji jQ blackguard ! ” sez 

he, fer if the ^ orfercer o’ the day ’ sees ’em, 
sure he’ll pull yer belts.” ’ f 
* Recruits. 

f Put him in the guard-house. — This is a true story 


98 


Maloney'^s Madonna. 


A hearty laugh of appreciation having 
greeted this anecdote, the old soldier looked 
superior as he answered: 

^^^Well thin an’ yous needn’t to laugh; 
hegorra ! thim days has changed. The last 
time I was up, the Summary Court, he sez, 
sez he, Maloney, the nixt time you’re drunk 
it’s a gineral court or dishonorable dis- 
charge ” — me as has served me counthry 
twinty-five years ! but begorra, boys, he’s 
right.’ 

This was a serious threat, and so the 
troopers in ^ B ’ felt it to be; for the ^ Sum- 
mary Court’ was Major Brown, a most le- 
nient officer who had done his best to save 
Maloney from disgrace. Something must be 
done, decided ^ B ’ troop. And the very next 
pay-day they tried a novel plan. Maloney 
fell from grace and was towed to ^ B ’ troop 
barracks long after " taps ’ by sorrowing 
friends, and put to bed. 

Next morning as the reveille gun boomed 
out, Maloney, from long force of habit, 
opened his eyes and started to tumble out of 
bed; but with a groan he sank back, and was 
just about to close them when his gaze rested 
upon a small red^coated monkey sitting on 


U, •fc. 


Maloney'‘s Madonna. 


99 


the iron foot-rail of his bunk. The small 
squad-room was apparently deserted; only ap- 
parently, though, for from behind a dozen 
red-curtained lockers twice as many curious 
eyes watched him. 

^ Well, I^m glad if s monkeys, an’ not 
snakes, thanks he to St. Patrick ! ’ remarked 
Maloney, as he slowly drew himself up into 
a sitting posture. 

^^‘If it’s the ^^jims” I have. I’d as lave 
consort with monkeys as most things. 

^ You remind me fer all the world of that 
little Frinchy phwat’s jist jined,’ addressing 
the monkey gravely. There was a smothered 
titter at this, for the ^Frinchy’ was behind 
one red curtain. 

a There’s some as says we’re descinded 
from monkeys; the Frinch may be, but niver 
an Irishman ! ’ 

The monkey slowly arose, cut a caper or 
two, then gravely removed his small red and 
tinsel cap, begging for pennies. 

^ Sit shtill, ye spalpeen ! ’ roared the old 
fellow, throwing his pillow at the vision his 
diseased imagination, as he supposed, had 
conjured up. The pillow struck the small 
animal fairly in the breast. Giving a shrill 


100 


Maloney's Madonna, 


cry of rage and pain, the monkey toppled 
over; and that was the end of the monkey 
cure. 

^ I knew yez was hehint thim curtains 
ivery toime/ declared Maloney scornfully. 
^ An^ if yez think to scare Maloney out of a 
dhrunk, ^twon^t he monlceys as will do it ! ^ 
and the sequence proved the old man right. 

Stables had long been over, the gun had 
boomed out its daily evening salute to the 
Stars and Stripes as they were hauled down, 
the men were coming out from supper ready 
for amusement, now that all duty for the day 
was over. Long lines of them could be seen 
hurrying down the broad walk that led from 
the adjutant’s office to the post trader’s. 
About two hundred yards outside the garri- 
son a narrow walk branched off the main one 
towards the little gray stone chapel, where 
once a month a kindly white-haired old 
Jesuit came up from Standing Eock Agency 
Mission to minister to his little flock of 
^ regulars.’ 

On this particular Saturday night Ma- 
loney had started for the post trader’s. He 
had a whole month’s pay in his pocket; he 
hadn’t touched a drop in six weeks, but this 


Maloney^ s Madonna. 


101 


evening he meant to relax just a bit. But 
alas ! the few drinks he had had before sup- 
per had unmistakably gone to his feet, which 
instead of carrying him to his destination, 
brought him in a wavering and unsteady 
fashion to the chapel door before the old fel- 
low noticed his change of direction. 

It was quite dark now, and the chapel 
itself was unlighted save by the tiny red 
flame from the altar lamp. One door was 
partly open, so Maloney had a view of the 
interior; the chapel seemed empty, and, obey- 
ing a sudden impulse, the old soldier, half 
dazed between the bitter cold and the post 
trader^s vile whiskey, stumbled in. As he 
reached the threshold a wonderful vision ap- 
peared to him: 

Standing beneath the altar lamp so that its 
rose-colored flame cast a soft glow over the 
whole flgure, was the Madonna — not the care- 
worn, suffering ^Lady of Sorrows,^ but the 
youthful Virgin in a robe of trailing white. 
A long mantle of pale blue fell from her 
shoulder; on the beautiful golden hair rested 
a crown of exquisite white roses. Both arms 
were outstretched; in one hand she held a 
great bunch of the same white roses, and the 


102 


Maloney's Madonna. 


other hand clasped a white rosary, while at 
her feet several of the roses had fallen and 
were resting there. 

ISTot for one instant did Maloney donht 
the reality of his vision. With a smothered 
cry of shame and reverence he went forward 
a few steps and fell on his knees. 

^ Oh, Blissed Virgin, have yon come to 
warn an^ save me he cried. ^ Ye know, 
don’t ye, Mother Mary, that no matter phwat 
I’ve done nor how had I’ve been, I’ve always 
said me beads ? Is it the plidge ye’d have 
me take ? Well thin, an’ I will. 

^ So hilp me God an’ our Blissed Lady, 
niver will I take a dhrap of intoxicatin’ liquor 
so long as I may live ! ’ he said fervently. 

^^The old soldier’s voice fairly trembled 
with emotion. 

As he ended his vow the heavenly vision 
stooped forward and placed in his shaking 
hands a tiny bow of blue ribbon and a long- 
stemmed rose. 

^ God have mercy on me a sinner ! ’ cried 
the old fellow, and quite overcome he buried 
his face in his hands and began almost me- 
chanically to repeat the prayer he had learned 
at his mother’s knee in the ^ ould counthry.^ 


Maloney's Madonna. 


103 


Presently he opened his eyes, but the 
vision had vanished and in its place stood the 
priest. ^ Father, will you confess a sinner — 
w'an as hasn’t been to his duty this twinty 
years ? ’ 

^ Come, my son,’ replied the priest 
gently. 

And from that evening Maloney was a re- 
formed man, and all ^ B ’ troop marvelled at 
it; and none knew save Maloney, the priest, 
and Miss Sands, the colonel’s niece. 

When the big box of roses had arrived 
from Omaha that evening, with Lieutenant 
Jack Hollingsworth’s card, Honoria was 
dressed for the hop; it was late, and it 
wouldn’t do to keep Jack waiting, still, if she 
hurried she would have time to run over to 
the chapel, share her lovely flowers with Our 
Lord and our Blessed Lady, and say a decade 
of the beads, too. 

She had twisted a few long-stemmed 
roses into a crown for Our Lady’s statue, 
and then in an innocent girlish whim had 
placed them on her own golden locks as she 
ran lightly over to the silent, empty little 
chapel. And thus it was that Maloney had 
his vision of the Madonna. It was not until 


104 


Maloney's Madonna. 


nearly a year later that the old soldier knew 
the truth in regard to his vision. 

^ Well, Father, sure ^twas Our Lady anny- 
ways as sint Miss Honoria to save me; and 
God helpin’ me. I’ll keep me plidge jist the 
same.’ And he did. 

A year’s absolute soberness won the old 
soldier his ^stripes,’ and the five yellow ser- 
vice-bars for his twenty-five years’ active duty 
looked very gay indeed beneath his sergeanfs 
chevrons. 

^^Not many weeks after Maloney had re- 
ceived his well-merited promotion, news 
reached us that the Cheyennes were on the 
war-path and were at their usual work of 
stealing cattle and murdering and scalping 
the helpless settlers. 

And one dull gray November day a 
courier riding at breakneck speed dashed 
into Steel with orders for the Twelfth to 
take the field at once. Such was the dis- 
cipline in the dear old regiment that by noon 
we were off, having bade a hasty good-by to 
our sweethearts and wives. Even in the hurry 
of leaving I had managed a five minutes’ talk 
with a certain young lady, who had promised 


Maloney^ s Madonna. 


105 


to fight on my side this time, as I had jok- 
ingly prophesied many years before. 

Old Maloney had evidently not been 
blind all these months to the way things had 
been going between this young lady and me, 
so just before the assembly sounded the old 
fellow went over to the coloneFs quarters and 
asked to see Miss Honey, as he, like the old 
home servants, called the young lady. 

She came out at once, and I followed 
her on the porch just in time to hear the old 
fellow say: ^ Miss Honey, I wanted to thank 
you once more for all youVe done fer me; and 
Fd like to say good-by, and shake hands with 
you if you won^t think me too bold, Miss.^ 
The young lady, with the tears streaming 
down her face, shook the old fellow warmly 
by both hands, saying, ^ Indeed I will. Ser- 
geant Maloney, and I must tell you how 
proud I am of those,^ pointing to the bran- 
new chevrons that adorned his old field- 
blouse. 

^ An’ God bliss you fer it, Miss; an’ if at 
anny toime I can do annything fer you or 
yours, ril le there ! ’ . . , 

That was a long and bitter campaign, 
that winter of ’68; both troops and Indians 


106 


Maloney's Madonna. 


■suffered fearfully. It was not until early 
spring that the last refractory band was 
hunted down, captured, and returned to the 
reservation. 

It was the last of March; they had had 
a pretty lively skirmish that day, but the In- 
dians had been utterly routed; or so the cap- 
tain in command of the small detachment 
sent out to fill the water wagons thought. 
But just as the last trooper made his way 
slowly and cautiously into the deep canon at 
the foot of which boiled the small deep 
mountain river from which they were to get 
their water, a sudden and fierce fire was 
poured in upon them from the apparently in- 
accessible sides of the canon. 

At the first volley Lieutenant Hollings- 
worth dropped his sabre, and with a groan 
fell heavily from his horse. Already the 
buglers were sounding the retreat, but one 
old gray-haired sergeant paid no heed to their 
shrill persistent commands; putting his big 
roan at a run he dashed down the steep ra- 
vine, reached the wounded officer, and had 
him safely in his saddle and had started back 
before half the command saw what he was 
about. 


Maloney’’ s Madonna. 


107 


would have accomplished his gallant 
rescue in safety, but a bullet through the 
heart sent the big roan to instant death. His 
rider reeled, and both he and the wounded 
officer were thrown to the ground. Maloney 
had been a giant in his young days, but the 
dissipation of years had done its work upon 
his once cast-iron physique. 

With a muttered imprecation against 
^ thim red divils ^ he stopped, and with ten- 
der care lifted the wounded officer across his 
right shoulder and carried his heavy weight 
as if he had been a baby. 

^ Sergeant, put me down,^ I gasped, ^ you 
can’t do it, man; save yourself.’ 

^ Don’t make me waste me brith wid 
talkin’, Liftenant,’ he replied shortly, disre- 
spectful for the first time in all his life to 
his superior officer. Just then I lost con- 
sciousness from loss of blood, but learned 
from others what occurred. 

Two troopers had started back to our as- 
sistance. Maloney had carried me two-thirds 
of the way up the canon, amid a perfect 
storm of bullets, but so far he had escaped 
them, when suddenly they saw his right arm, 
which was supporting me, drop again. The 


108 


Maloney^ s Madonna. 


brave old fellow stopped and tenderly shifted 
me^ his still unconscious burden^ to his left 
shoulder, and struggled on. The foremost 
trooper had just reached him when the fatal 
bullet struck him. 

^ The liftenant first, PaV whispered the 
old soldier faintly. 

^ Shut up ! ^ growled the young cavalry- 
man fiercely; he had a lump in his throat 
so big he couldn’t swallow, and his eyes were 
wet with something that he had not felt 
since, a home-sick raw recruit, he had read 
his mother’s first letter from home. 

In a second the wounded men were care- 
fully swung up before their rescuers, and 
their horses, maddened with fright, dashed 
safely up the rocky trail to where the remain- 
der of the detachment had taken refuge be- 
hind a natural trench of rock and scrub oaks. 

^ He won’t live an hour, sir,’ reported the 
young surgeon, who had just now seen his 
first ^ active service ’ — indicating with a ges- 
ture the sergeant’s grim, gray old figure. 

There was no priest to help in the pass- 
ing of that brave old soul, but Tim Dooley, 
the dandy little trumpeter of ^ B ’ troop, who 
was young enough not to have forgotten how 


Maloney's Madonna. 


109 


to serve Mass, said the prayers for the dying, 
while many a rough old trooper said the re- 
sponses in fervent yet broken tones. 

The last words Maloney said were, ^ Tell 
Miss Honey I was there.^^ ^ But no one 
knew what he meant save she to whom I de- 
livered the message some weeks later, when I 
had been sent in on the sick list to recover 
from my wounds. 

In the pocket of the sergeant^s blouse 
they found a faded rose and a tiny bow of 
blue ribbon, together with a medal of the 
Blessed Virgin. 

^ Some romance ! ^ muttered the gruff 
old captain, who had remembered enough of 
his youthful Bible knowledge to murmur 
reverently to the young surgeon, as both offi- 
cers stood with bared heads by that new-made 
grave on the lonely prairie: 

^ Greater love than this no man hath, 
that a man lay down his life for his 
friend/^ ^ 


CHAPTER X. 


THE HISTORY OF A VOCATION. 

There was a little silence after the Colonel 
finished; Mrs. Hollingsworth^s eyes were wet, 
Jack sniffed audibly, and Father Sayre said: 

^ Because he hath loved, much shall be for- 
given him/ 

My story, J ack,^’ he continued, has no 
war in it, but it has a fight, which, as you shall 
hear, decided the vocations of two young 
Americans, both of whom were very ol)sti- 
nate, self-willed lads. 

My tale begins with the first American 
pilgrimage to Lourdes, early in the ^70’s; I 
was a tall overgrown lad of fourteen, and 
Cecil, my brother, only a year older. 

My mother had decided to make the pil- 
grimage partly for her health, and also to 
receive the blessing of our Holy Father Pius 
IX. The pilgrims were to carry as a votive 
offering from the Catholics of the United 
110 


The History of a Vocation. Ill 

States a beautiful flag or banner, which we 
were to take direct to Rome to be blessed by 
the Pope. Then it was to be carried to 
Lourdes, and in solemn procession, with chant 
and incense, hung on the ceiling of the 
Church of our Lady of Lourdes. 

To my brother Cecil and me had been 
accorded the honor of escorting and carrying 
the banner, as we all thought it; for some- 
how we all, my mother, Cecil, and myself, 
had conceived the idea that the American 
offering was some sort of a religious ianner. 

It was only the day before we sailed that 
we were undeceived, and then it was too late 
for us to decline the honor; we simply could 
not back out at the last moment, for our 
names and mission had been heralded far and 
near. 

We were staying at the Fifth Avenue, and 
a party of friends who had come up from 
Baltimore to see us off w'ere dining with us. 
We were just finishing dinner when the 
head waiter came and said that a messenger 
had arrived with a package which he must 
deliver into my mother’s own hands. 

Suspecting that it was the eagerly looked- 
for banner, w^e hurried out and found the 


112 The History of a Vocation. 

messenger awaiting us in our private parlor. 
Hurriedly undoing the careful wrappings, we 
found the case in which the banner was 
packed to be a very handsome affair of ma- 
hogany mounted with silver. Quickly un- 
locking this box, my mother shook out 
the folds of an exquisite silk United States 
flag. 

As the Stars and Stripes met our startled 
gaze a strange thrill went through us all, all 
red-hot Southerners as we were; it seemed a 
message from God, a message of peace and 
brotherly love. 

My mother, with a white set face, left the 
room at once — ^that her sons should be chosen 
out of the whole United States to carry that 
flag, which had brought desolation unspeak- 
able to her and hers ! 

^^You must know, Jack,’^ said Father 
Sayre, turning to his absorbed little listener, 
^^that my father was killed during the war; 
I barely remember him myself.^^ 

I am awful sorry for her, and you too, 
Father,^^ replied Jack softly; ^^it^s an awful 
interesting story,^^ he said with a sigh of heart- 
felt satisfaction. 

My mother is thoroughly ^ reconstructed ^ 


The History of a Vocation, 113 

now,” said the priest smiling; she really 
has to be, for she has two sons in the army. 

She did not mention the word ^ flag ^ 
again, but Cecil and I took the greatest care 
of it; I think we were both ^reconstructed^ 
on the spot. At the very instant our mother 
shook out those silken folds we felt it was 
our flag, the flag we would die for. She has 
since told us that she felt a positive aversion 
to the flag until at Lourdes she beheld its 
stars and stripes waving from the ceiling of 
the churdh, the most beautiful of the flags 
hung there by most of the nations of the 
earth. 

No unusual or particularly interesting in- 
cidents occurred during our voyage. On 
landing we pilgrims went straight to Eome, 
where an audience had been arranged for us 
with the Holy Father, who received us most 
graciously, made us a little address, and then, 
as we all knelt, gave us his benediction. After 
this an officer of the Papal Guard led Cecil 
and me forward, carrying our colors with us, 
and we knelt before the throne. Laying his 
hand on our beautiful flag, Pius IX. solemnly 
blessed it; then motioning us to stand, he 
spoke to us in a low impressive voice, in Latin 


114 


The History of a 'Vocation, 


of course, which one of the chamberlains 
translated for us, ^ The United States is very 
dear to me/ said the Holy Father. ^ I love 
your land of freedom and its brave people. 
Serve God and your beloved country bravely 
and loyally/ Then raising his hand to give 
us his blessing, he said: ^ Go in peace, my 
young soldiers ! ^ Looking at us with his 
keen yet saintlike eyes, he concluded with 
strange prophetic foresight: ^ One of you shall 
serve with the Cross, and the other shall 
serve with the sword; see to it that you serve 
faithfully.^ 

As these words were translated to us you 
can imagine how startled we were, for the 
Holy Father was repeating, in substance, the 
ancient saying of our family, the quaint old 
couplet being cut deep in the stone lintel of 
the great hall doors in our old Maryland home. 

^^At a little before seven the next morn- 
ing Cecil and I reached the Vatican, where 
we were evidently expected, a young priest 
conducting us to the chapel and telling us 
what to do. Promptly at seven the Holy 
Father appeared and began his Mass at once; 
Cecil and I, though naturally rather nervous, 
got through without a mistake. 


The History of a Vocation, 115 

After the Holy Father was unvested he 
went back to the altar to make his thanks- 
giving, and we were told to wait until his 
return. Being alone we began to talk, and 
soon got into a hot, angry discussion. I began 
it by saying, ^ The Pope is a good judge, ainT 
he, Cec ? He knew you were cut out for a 
priest the moment he saw your pious old mug, 
and he knew that my six feet were meant for 
a soldier.^ 

^ You are mistaken, Tommy,^ replied my 
brother; ^ I mean to be the soldier, so you 
will have to be the priest.^ 

^ Pooh, I like that ! a fine soldier youUl 
make. Why, I^m half a head taller now, and 
can lick the stuffing out of you.^^ 

^ I know yoffire taller, but you canT lick 
me. Just you dare try it,’ he answered. 

^ Don’t you dare ” me, or you’ll be 
sorry for it; priests can’t fight,’ said I. 

^ Fm not a priest and never will be one;, 
you’re afraid to fight me.’ 

^^And in another instant we were pum- 
melling each other in good earnest, both so 
angry that w^e did not notice the Pope’s ap- 
proach until we heard his mild voice saying 
something. Eemembering where we were and 


116 


The History of a Vocation. 


dreadfully ashamed of ourselves, we stood 
there utterly abashed. 

There was actually a twinkle in the Holy 
Father’s eye as he inquired into the cause of 
our hostilities. I was speechless, but Cecil 
managed to blurt out the cause of our dis- 
agreement. When the young priest had 
translated Cecil’s answer to the Pope, he 
smiled gently; then a look of great gravity 
stole over his face and he laid his hand on 
my head saying: ^ You, my son, will be the 
soldier of the cross; you are called.’ As the 
attendant priest translated the Holy Father’s 
words a feeling of deep awe stole over me, 
and I scarcely heard his message to Cecil to 
draw his sword only in the cause of truth and 
justice. 

A sense of deep peace seemed to pervade 
my soul, and without a word to any one I 
went back into the chapel and knelt, absorbed 
in thought, for over an hour. When I left I 
had, with God’s help, decided upon my vo- 
cation.” 

That’s a fine story ! and thank you very 
much,” said J ack. Which would have 
licked, you or your brother, if the Pope 
hadn’t interrupted ? ” 


The History of a Vocation. 117 

A hearty laugh greeted Jack^s question, 
and when it had subsided Mrs. Hollings- 
worth rang for Nora to put the young man 
to bed. If s Vay past your usual time/^ said 
his mamma; so for once Master Jack said 
good-night and went off without a grumble. 


CHAPTEE XI. 


AN INDIAN FOUETH OF JULY. 

Eveky one was delighted with Father 
Sayre^s idea, for even Jack had never seen 
an Indian celebration of the national holiday. 
So early Saturday morning not long after 
reveille had sounded, the big yellow dough- 
erty wagon, with four fine gray mules, and 
Eunning Horse as teamster, drove up with a 
great flourish and clatter in front of the 
ColoneFs quarters, where the party for the res- 
ervation was trying to breakfast, interrupted 
and hurried up as they were by the two chil- 
dren, who were wildly impatient to be off. 

Colonel Hollingsworth had declined to go, 
fearing Yellow Bird might make his appear- 
ance to receive his answer from the Great 
Father in Washington,” and as no answer had 
as yet been received, the Colonel thought it 
best to be on hand to explain matters to the 
118 


An Indian Fourth of July. 119 

old chief and induce him to return peaceably 
to the reservation. 

You may as well go with us, daddy/^ 
cried Jack, rushing into the dining-room for 
the dozenth time to see if the grown-up peo- 
ple were not yet finished. Eunning Horse 
says Yellow' Bird wonH be here until to- 
morrow; it^s just essackerly full moon to- 
morrow'.^^ 

^^Your oracle. Jack, wall no doubt prove 
right, for certainly Indians do know to a min- 
ute the changes of the moon; still, I shall be 
on the safe side. And to tell you the truth, 
I am not particularly anxious for a thirty- 
mile drive this hot July day, to see an Indian 
dance. So hurry off, good people, and get a 
start before the sun gets too high.^^ 

Mrs. Hollingsw^orth and Mrs. Douglass oc- 
cupied the back seat of the ambulance, Ma- 
rion Worden with Dee and Jack the middle 
seat. Mr. Belden on Major w^as to do escort 
duty, leaving the extra seat by the driver, for 
Father Sayre, who had promised to return 
with them. 

The great Sioux or Dakotah Nation — 
the latter being their proper Indian designa- 
tion — is divided and subdivided into a num- 


120 An Indian Fourth of July, 

ber of smaller tribes, each tribe bearing a 
distinctive name and speaking its own pecu- 
liar dialect; this, however, differs so slightly 
that all the tribes can understand one an- 
other's spoken language. 

The Standing Eock Agenc}^, to visit 
which Father Sayre had invited his friends 
from Fort Fetterman, was occupied by Eed 
Eagle and his tribe, among the most civilized 
of the Sioux. The reservation was large and 
fertile; the Indians owned cattle, sheep, and 
horses, and cultivated corn and oats to some 
extent. 

The government builds for each family a 
nice little frame house, but these children of 
nature much prefer their own tepees, and set 
them up right alongside of their houses, and 
live in them, too, summer and winter, unless 
the thermometer drops very much below zero. 
The houses given them by Uncle Sam are 
considered as purely ornamental. 

At Standing Eock are two large Catholic 
schools in charge of the Sisters. Here the 
children are taught not only the three E’s,’^ 
but useful trades as well. And they are 
very patriotic little Americans, celebrating 
Decoration Day and Fourth of July quite as 


An Indian Fourth of July, 121 

energetically as their white brothers and 
sisters. 

Fourth of July is a particularly great day 
with them^ for by permission of their agent 
they hold a big annual camp, have a grand 
feast, and conclude the ceremonies of the day 
with a war-dance in full war-paint and feath- 
ers, having in fact a regular Indian good time! 

To this yearly camp the Standing Eock In- 
dians are allowed to invite their friends in 
the neighboring tribes. Many of the pecu- 
liarly Indian features of the day^s celebration 
the good Sisters did not approve of, but they 
had to go very slowly and cautiously about 
their work of civilizing and Christianizing 
these wild children of the plains. 

As the party from the fort drove down the 
steep and winding road at the foot of which 
lay the agency buildings, the sound of martial 
music reached them, and they discovered just 
ahead of them a Studebaker farm-wagon oc- 
cupied by an Indian band dressed in blankets, 
paint, feathers, and all tooting away for dear 
life at Yankee Doodle.^^ It was a funny 
sight — ^the Indian toggery and the very Ameri- 
can vehicle and tune. As soon as they saw the 
ambulance and caught sight of Lieutenant 


122 An Indian Fourth of July. 

Belden they changed their tune to the Star 
Spangled Banner/^ evidently as a compliment 
to the armj" people. 

Mr. Belden uncovered, and Jack waved his 
cap at them, shouting hurrah ! while Dee in 
her excitement grasped the linen lap-robe and 
waved it at them. 

As the big four-mule ambulance flew past 
them, Eunning Horse exchanged greetings 
with them, and announced to Lieutenant Bel- 
den that they were Santees who had rid- 
den over a hundred miles to help celebrate 
the day. They say they passed Yellow Bird 
and forty of his young bucks on the fort 
trail.’’ 

The party from the post drove directly to 
the girls’ school, where Father Sayre was 
waiting to meet them and take them over to 
the Indian encampment. Some of the teach- 
ers from the government schools on the reser- 
vation joined them, delighted beyond measure 
to be wdth ladies and gentlemen if only for 
a day; a number of these teachers were East- 
ern girls, young, pretty, and cultivated, who 
found their work among the Indians very 
hard and unsatisfactory, lacking, as they did, 
the motive that induced and enabled the Sis- 


An Indian Fourth of July. 123 

ters to undergo cheerfully all the hardships 
and disappointments. 

The camp was a huge affair, covering four 
sides of a great grassy plain at the summit of 
the bluff which sloped gradually away from 
the banks of the Big Muddy/’ as the In- 
dians call the Missouri Eiver. 

There were over two thousand Indians con- 
gregated there, from the old squaws and bucks 
too feeble to do more than look on at the 
fun, to the little pappooses strapped on their 
mothers’ backs; no one had been left behind. 
The tents were decorated with flags and green 
willow branches which the young Indians 
brought up from the river banks. Their 
ponies, too, were festooned with the same 
graceful foliage, tied in great bunches to the^ 
animals’ manes and tails, and allowed to trail 
for some distance on the ground. 

The ponies as w^ell as their riders were 
plentifully besmeared with war-paint, and 
both together presented a very startling ap- 
pearance as they dashed to and fro, each young 
buck doing his best to show off; for they are 
as vain as peacocks about their fine riding, 
going always on a dead run, showing no 
mercy to their willing little ponies. 


124 An Indian Fourth of July. 

While the squaws were busy preparing the 
feast for the day, the Indian men, old and 
young, gave a very interesting exhibition for 
the army people. They formed a long line 
of horsemen, and to the sound of Indian mu- 
sic (?) went through many difficult and pretty 
evolutions: The young bucks would throw 
their hats — those few who wore any — on the 
ground, then pick them up without dis- 
mounting, with their ponies on a dead run. 
Then they would dash by, and, holding on 
by their fingers and toes, throw themselves 
almost beneath their ponies^ bodies, giving 
wild, blood-curdling war-whoops. 

The music consisted of an orchestra and 
chorus. The former was composed of half a 
dozen venerable gray-haired bucks seated in 
a circle, beating big tom-toms or Indian 
drums. As many others had big metal clap- 
pers, which greatly pleased Jack and Dee on 
account of the loud din they made. The 
chorus consisted of all the available old 
squaws, who chanted a sort of rhythmic 

Ugh-ugh ! Ugh-ugh-ugh ! 

Finally the banquet was ready, and such a 
feast as it was ! There was only one course, 
but as there was plenty of it, it was all the 


An Indian Fourth of Jtdy. 125 

guests required: Hot boiled beef that had 
been first cut into long thin strips and partly 
dried in the sun^ and a fiat cake made of flour 
and lard and fried brown in a skillet, were 
the substantials in the menu, although dog 
stew was also served; for though the Indians 
prefer beef when they can get it, yet ^^dog^’ in 
some form or other is a necessary portion of 
a genuine Indian powwow or feast. 

Every man and boy took a seat, while the 
women and girls meekly waited upon them. 
Mr. Belden and Jack were invited to take 
seats, but declined on the plea that they had 
already promised to dine with the Sisters. 

It was the funniest sight imaginable to see 
those poor squaws that broiling hot July day, 
enveloped in the inevitable blanket, each car- 
rying in one hand a pan of stew for her par- 
ticular lord, with a bright red satin parasol 
poised carefully in the other. 

Seeing the irrepressible smiles of the garri- 
son ladies, one of the young teachers laugh- 
ingly explained it. She said there were two 
articles the Indian women considered as a 
sort of badge of civilization; the parasol was 
one. And now,^^ she continued, just take 
a peep into all these open tepees and you will 


126 


An Indian Fourth of July. 


see a bran-new trunk. They never use them 
for anything; they are as much of an orna- 
ment as a bouquet of wax flowers in a glass 
case. When our young men go a-wooing they 
present the maiden with a trunk or a parasol, 
and such a gift usually wins.^’ 

As the ladies went from tent to tent they 
noticed that on their approach the young In- 
dian girls hid or hurried off out of sight. 

They have the grace to feel ashamed of 
being seen here, for we begged them not to 
come,’^ said Miss Graves, the teacher, and I 
see only a few have minded. As for the boys, 
they are beyond our control entirely. They 
are all Indian to-day, and not a bit ashamed 
of it either.^^ 

Yes, there’s a sample of it, too,” laughed 
Mr. Belden, as a blanketed, painted young 
buck dashed by them yelling wildly. Jack, 
that’s your civilized friend Eunning Horse;, 
he’s forgotten he was ever white. I only hope 
his attack won’t last too long, for we must 
get back to-night; I am officer of the guard 
to-morrow.” 

Before long, much to Mrs. Hollingsworth’s 
horror. Jack was seen hanging on to Running 
Horse’s pommel, dashing by, yelling like a 
small Indian, his yellow curls standing out 


An Indian Fourth of July. 127 

straight in the breeze. Mrs. Hollingsworth 
sent Mr. Belden to capture the small run- 
away, and hurried the whole party back to 
the agency for dinner. 

They drove home in the cool of the eve- 
ning, Jack and Dee so tired they slept most 
of the way back. Dee just roused herself 
sufficiently when they reached home to say 
Good-night, and I wish you a happy birth- 
day to-morrow, Jack.^^ 

^^Be up in time to serve my first Mass, 
youngster,’^ said Father Sayre as he carried 
the tired little fellow up to his room. 

I will, sure ! murmured Jack sleepily. 


CHAPTER XII. 

A HOSTAGE OF WAR. 

Jack^s eighth birthday dawned bright and 
warm; he was up before the flag, enjoying 
his numerous gifts which he found on the 
table by his side. 

Dick, who played half-back on the West 
Points,^^ had sent him a football and costume 
complete, padded duck trousers, jacket, and 
all the other belongings. Billy’s contribution 
was a suit of real sailor clothes made by the 
ship’s tailor; the trousers were long and had 
a true nautical cut that delighted Jack’s 
heart. He couldn’t decide which to wear, the 
football outfit or sailor suit, until he remem- 
bered that he was to serve Father Sayre’s first 
Mass and that neither of them would be ex- 
actly suitable. His mother had given him a 
small silver watch, his father a handsome 
riding-whip, and Mr. Belden a fishing-rod; 

128 


A Hostage of War. 


129 


Dee had worked him half a dozen pretty 
handkerchiefs, and Father Sayre^s gift was a 
substantial boy’s vest-pocket manual, just the 
thing for the eager little altar-boy. 

This is just a splendiferous birthday ! ” 
ejaculated the small man as he splashed in 
and out of his bath and hurried into his 
clothes so as to run and get his mother’s 
eight birithday kisses and the same number of 
thumps from his father, with a good hard one 
at the finish to grow on.” 

The band was just sounding off ” at guard 
mounting, playing Onward, Christian Sol- 
diers,” as a lively quick-step, when the 
spruce-looking young orderly called out 
softly to Jack: Say, Yellow Bird and his 
young men are coming down the agency 
trail — see ? ” 

Jack’s sharp eyes spied them at once, and 
he rushed into the den to call his father. 

Half an hour later the old chief, looking 
very solemn indeed, drew up in front of the 
Colonel’s quarters; he was accompanied by 
the interpreter. Quick Elk, and his small son 
Little Horn. 

As the Indians dismounted the Colonel ad- 
vanced to meet them with outstretched hand; 


130 


A Hostage of Wat\ 


but Jack was before him, crying out a de- 
lighted Hello, Little Horn ! Fm awful glad 
to see you. You’re just in time for my birth- 
day party and Fourth-of-July celebration to- 
morrow.” 

The Colonel and Yellow Bird exchanged 
silent greetings, then the Colonel hastened to 
explain to the old chief that he had as yet re- 
ceived no answer from the Great Father in 
Washington in regard to his request for the 
dismissal of the agent Jenkins. Yellow Bird 
listened in grave silence, but the explanation 
was not satisfactory, for he pointed to the 
party of young bucks who were watching for 
the result of the conference; they had not 
dismounted, but were drav/n up in line await- 
ing the verdict of their chief. 

My young men have been patient; it was 
easy for them to kill the bad agent, but I have 
begged them to wait until the Great Father 
heard our wish. But now he has forgotten 
us, and I will take my people away to a land 
of health.” 

All this the interpreter translated rapidly 
as Yellow Bird talked. 

Ask him to stay a few days and give the 
Great Father more time to answer. I will 


A Hostage of War. 131 

send the lightning telegraph to hurry them 
up/^ 

But the old chief was angry, sullen, and 
suspicious. His only reply was: I have done 
as I said, waited until the full moon came, 
and now I will stay no longer. I thank you, 
my brother, for all that you have done, but 
I cannot stay; my people look to me for help, 
and I must go to them. I have brought a 
token to Little Coyote;” and Yellow Bird 
beckoned to one of his men, who rode up with 
a pretty little bay 'pony, the very counterpart 
of the one Little Horn was riding. On the 
pony^s back was strapped a buckskin suit — 
cap, jacket, and irousers — exactly like the 
one the little Indian wore. 

Jack was hugely delighted with his present 
and immediately carried it off, donning 
his newest suit and thinking himself a 
pretty lucky fellow to get a football suit, a 
sailor suit, and an Indian outfit all in one 
day. 

Yellow Bird refused the ColoneFs invita^- 
tion to stay over night, but said he would 
leave at dusk; he was rather sullen and would 
make no promises. Still, the Colonel believed 
that he would remain on the reservation % 


132 


A Hostage of War, 


few days longer to see whether the President’s 
message would not he a favorable one. 

Mrs. Hollingsworth was not at home, but 
Jack received permission from his father to 
stay with the Indians until dusk, when they 
meant to leave. 

Tattoo,” Jack’s bedtime, sounded prompt- 
ly at nine o’clock, but Jack did not appear. 
Colonel and Mrs. Hollingsworth were sitting 
on the front porch watching the full moon 
like a great red globe come up slowly over 
the summit of the distant divide. 

Where can that boy be ? ” wondered Mrs. 
Hollingsworth. 

Oh, seeing his Indian friends off,” re- 
turned the Colonel easily; the night was hot 
and he wanted to enjoy his cigar in peace. 

I do wish he would come ! I thought you 
said. Colonel, the Indians were to leave 
early.” 

^^Well, Yellow Bird did say so; but, my 
dear, don’t worry over that chick of yours. 
What possible harm can come to the child ? ” 

Mrs. Hollingsworth sat in silence for about 
fifteen minutes and then announced that she 
meant to stroll down the line ” and look up 
the little truant. 


A Hostage of War, 


133 


Just then the orderly appeared, to report 
before being sent off for the night, so the 
Colonel sent him over to where the Indians 
had camped for the day, with orders to bring 
Master Jack straight home. The orderly 
soon returned, saying that Jack was nowhere 
to be seen and that the Indians had left at 
dusk, as the chief had said he would. 

Mrs. Hollingsworth had not returned, so 
leaving word with the servants that he had 
gone out to find J ack, the Colonel started the 
orderly in one direction with orders to inquire 
for the child at every house down the line, 
while he himself went the opposite way. 

An hour^s thorough search failed to pro- 
duce the little boy or any trace of him. Mrs. 
Hoillingsworth was in an agony of terror by 
this time, and the Colonel was far more un- 
easy than he would admit even to himself. 
Every officer down the line had now joined 
in the search, but at midnight they deter- 
mined to arouse the sleeping men and organ- 
ize search parties. 

Father Sayre and Mr. Belden had been in- 
defatigable in suggesting and searching. 
Suddenly a thought seemed to strike Father 
Sayre. 


134 


A Hostage of War, 


Could Yellow Bird have carried the child 
off, Mr. Belden ? asked the priest. 

Mr. Belden^s face lighted up with renewed 
hope at this suggestion, for all night he had 
seen, whenever he closed his eyes, Jack^s 
helpless little form swept down the deep swift 
Buffalo. 

The Colonel also grasped eagerly at this 
idea, and the sentries who had been on duty 
by the corral through which the Indians must 
have passed on their way out were closely 
questioned; but they soon dispelled any hope 
he might have had. Indeed, the officer of the 
guard himself had seen the Indians depart; 
there were Yellow Bird, his son Little Horn, 
who had turned and waved his red handker- 
chief as the party rode out through the gates, 
and only about a dozen bucks. Both sentries 
said the same thing; the officer of the guard 
had been making his rounds just at that time, 
so all three had seen Yellow Bird^s de- 
parture. 

The Colonel and Mr. Belden reluctantly 
abandoned this hope, but Father Sayre deep 
down in his heart had an obstinate conviction 
that he was on the right track. 

If the priest could have peeped into Run- 


A Hostage of War, 


135 


ning Horse’s most commodious tepee, he 
would have been more convinced than ever of 
the truth of his surmise; for curled up beside 
the half-breed teamster’s newest pappoose lay 
a small Indian lad who looked remarkably 
like Little Horn, whom Lieutenant Bellew, 
the officer of the guard, had been certain that 
he had waved an adieu to some hours ago. 

Mrs. Hollingsworth’s heart-breaking agony 
was sad to witness, but towards morning she 
slept the sleep of utter exhaustion. 

With daybreak a systematic search was be- 
gun; the swift and treacherous Buffalo was 
dragged and redragged, and Mr. Belden’s 
heart felt lighter, for his constant horror had 
been that it might contain Jack’s body. The 
wide treeless prairie was searched for miles 
around the post, but with no results; there 
was absolutely no trace of the lost child. 

Mrs. Hollingsworth was now half crazed 
with suspense and anguish, and the Colonel’s 
fine ruddy face had lost all its color; he 
looked and walked like an old man. 

Dr. Brown, if she could only cry ! She 
will lose her mind if you don’t do something 
for her,” cried poor Marion, the tears flowing 
down her own cheeks as she spoke. Father 


136 


A Hostage of War. 


Sajre is the only one who can get her to 
speak even, and all she says is ^ Pray ! pray ! 
it is not too late to pray, is it ? He is not 
dead yet V Oh, Jack ! my dear little Jack, 
where are you ? cried the young girl, break- 
ing down completely. 

This will never do, Marion,’^ cried the 
good doctor in dismay. I depend upon you 
to help me. I am going to try a new plan; 
I am going to bring Louise over here without 
saying a word beforehand to Mrs. Hollings- 
worth — just simply put my little cripple in 
her lap and have the child ask for Jack. I 
think the loving question will break down 
that stony barrier and enable the poor 
mother to weep.^^ And here the wise old doc- 
tor blew his nose violently and looked severely 
at Marion, as though he suspected that she 
might think he was crying. 

It will be the very thing, doctor ! cried 
the girl hopefully. Dear little Louise, 
whom Jack rescued so bravely ! 

I shall have to leave her here some little 
time, Marion; I have a sick-call over at the 
corral. That half-breed teamster met with an 
accident some time in the night — thrown 
from his horse, I fancy, and injured his 


A Hostage of War, 


137 


'brain ; he is delirious. What he could 
have been doing on his horse at midnight 
puzzles me; no good, I fancy. And that 
squaw of his is as mum as an oyster, though 
she looks frightened to death every time I go 
in their tepee. She acts as if she had some 
tremendous secret.^^ 

She couldn^t know anything about Jack, 
could she ? began Marion doubtfully. 

^^No, no; how could she ? Her secret no 
doubt is some scrape that ne^er-do-well hus- 
band of hers is in. She is welcome to keep 
it, poor thing ! and the doctor hurried off 
to bring little Louise. 

And yet they were so near the secret of 
Jack^s disappearance, right then — if they had 
only known ! 

Mr. Belden was the next to appear on the 
scene. Where is Dr. Brown ? he asked. 

Gone to bring little Louise over to see if 
she cannot comfort that poor heart-broken 
mother and make her cry.’^ 

You look utterly worn out yourself, 
Marion;’^ the name slipped out unnoticed by 
either of them. 

I feel heart-broken,^^ she said with a little 

sob. 


138 


A Hostage of War. 


Let me try and comfort you, Marion. I 
love you, dear, and would like to help.^^ 

It seems so selfish to be thinking of our- 
selves now. Wait, wait until Jack is found; 
they need me now I know,^^ and the young 
girl hurried off. 

Marion is right; I can wait, and wait 
hopefully for my dear girl;’^ and the young 
officer hastened off to get a mouthful to eat 
before starting out on another long search. 
He had been in the saddle without food or 
rest since daybreak. 

Dr. Brown’s plan proved eminently success- 
ful. When Mrs. Hollingsworth felt the child’s 
loving arms around her and heard Louise’s 
plaintive little voice ask, Where is my 
Jack ? ” the tears gushed forth and she wept 
unrestrainedly, and fell asleep at last with the 
little girl folded in her arms. 


CHAPTEE XIII. 


THE RETURN OF THE HOSTAGE. 

The Colonel coming in from a fruitless all- 
night search paused for a moment on the 
rose-covered porch, looking out with unseeing 
eyes as the first hint of sunrise tinged the 
distant foot-hills a faint rose. He was 
deathly tired, and had lost hope of evefi see- 
ing his child again. With a groan he turned 
to enter the great silent house, when his tired 
footsteps stumbled a little and there, right on 
the door-step, was a piece of brown paper, 
folded into the cocked-hat shape on which 
the details for the officers on guard, and the 
countersigns, are made out. Jack had spent 
several days in perfecting himself in the art 
of folding them. It was addressed simply 
For Daddy,^^ but at the sight of these boy- 
ish pot-hooks the ColoneFs heart almost 
stopped beating. With a great sob he 
139 


140 The Return of the Hostage. 

snatched the paper to his lips, saying: 
Thank God ! thank God ! 

Dere Daddy , the familiar scrawl read, i 
am safe and well and having a bully time at 
yeller herd’s camp; hut i can not tell you 
whair I am, for i hav promised not to cause 
i am a Hostiage of War like that little feller 
my ^ grate-grate ’ as I call him, that Dolly 
told me ahot. i hop you did not werry ahot 
me, for yellow bird said he: wud send you 
wird rite away that i was saf with him. We 
had a dandy 4th little horn and me had 
plenty of firecrackers praps you notist thair 
wus one big bundel missin’ out of the hall. 

yeller herd is not to blaim, it was my seg- 
gestern (i cant spell this wurd jest rite) that 
I wud be a hostiage. 

so no more from yure Affecshunnate son, 

Jack.” 

I don’t understand it a bit,” exclaimed the 
puzzled Colonel, but oh ! thank God for the 
blessed knowledge that the child lives and is 
well.” And he ran up the stairs like a boy 
of twenty, shouting at the top of his voice. 
Jack is found ! Jack is found ! ” 

Instantly the whole house was in a state 
of excitement. The servants came running in 
to hear the good news, while Mrs. Hollings- 


The Return of the Hostage, 141 

worth, with Louise in her arms, sobbed out 
her joy and relief on the ColoneFs shoulder. 
But when they had all quieted down a bit 
it was discovered that after all Jack wasn^t 
exactly found; they knew with whom he was, 
but where he was they knew no more than be- 
fore. 

Then it puzzled them how the letter from 
Jack could have been delivered. Dr. Brown 
might have thrown a little light upon the 
subject if he had so wished, but he told no 
one of his suspicions save Father Sayre. 

The doctor had been sent for in haste to 
see the teamster Eunning Horse, who had 
had a relapse and was again violently de- 
lirious. 

^^Your husband has been out of bed, out 
of doors, the doctor had said sternly to the 
poor frightened squaw; but he could get 
nothing out of her. However, by dint of 
questioning the sentries the doctor dis- 
covered, just as he had half suspected, that the 
half-breed had been seen over near the officers^ 
line; in fact, the sentry on Yumber Two, 
whose post began and ended immediately in 
the rear of the ColoneFs quarters, admitted 


142 The Return of the Hostage. 

that he had challenged Running Horse twice. 
But wishing to raise no false hopes, the doc- 
tor consulted only with Father Sayre. 

We shan^t hear from Jack again for sev- 
eral days/^ said the doctor, ^^if Running 
Horse is the messenger, for the man is really 
very ill.” 

But the doctor was mistaken, for two days 
later another characteristic epistle was re- 
ceived from the young man. This was ad- 
dressed For Mamma,” and began: 

Devest Dolly, donT werry abot me I am 
well and am havin a splendiferus time. 

My shurt is orful dirty and my trowsers 
and my stockings is all wore out; I say my 
prars evry nite but I canT bresh my teeth. 

When the nite cums i am orful lonely 
and I miss Dee and my little lame girl tell 
daddy to have the president get a move on 
him i don’t like bein a hostiage so long, so no 
more from yure luving 

Jack.” 

A* few quiet questions put to Appolyn and 
Nora brought out the fact that Running 
Horse’s squaw had been at the Colonel’s very 
early that morning for beef broth; she had 
come so early that Jerry had found her sit- 


The Return of the Hostage, 143 

ting on the kitchen steps when he had come 
to start the fire a half hour before reveille. 

All search for Jack had been stopped, for 
the Colonel felt, and even Mrs. Hollings- 
worth, though terribly anxious, agreed with 
him, that the child was perfectly safe from 
all harm while with his Indian friends. The 
best and quickest way to get Jack home was 
to rid the Indians of their bad, dishonest 
agent; so the very hour that the first letter 
from the poor little hostage had been re- 
ceived the Colonel sent off a long personal 
telegram to the Secretary of War by courier, 
for the nearest telegraph station was twenty- 
five miles away, at O^Heil, a little way-station 
of the Sioux City Central. 

4c He iie 4c ^ 

It was a piping hot July day in Washing- 
ton; so hot that the secretary to the Presi- 
dent had betaken himself, with his after- 
breakfast cigar and the morning paper, for a 
cool leisurely half hour on the wide shaded 
rear veranda. Suddenly he uttered an ex- 
clamation of surprise: Hullo ! whaPs 

this ? as the big headlines stared him in 
the face: 


144 The Return of the Hostage. 

Little Jack, Son of Colonel Hollings- 

WOKTH^ CaKKIED OFF BY INDIANS. 

Chief Yellow Bikd Declares that he 
WILL never give UP THE BOY UNTIL 
Agent Jenkins is Dismissed. 

Soldiers and Settlers Aroused over 
the daring Kidnapping.^^ 

^^Why, this must be my friend Jack who 
wrote the President such a ^frendly’ letter, 
asking to have this same man Jenkins sent 
off.^^ And quite excited, the young secretary 
hurried into the President’s private office to 
tell him of Jack’s capture. 

The President was quite as interested as 
his secretary, and the consequence was that 
several rather hot telegrams passed between 
Washington, Fort Fetterman, and Buffalo 
Agency; the outcome of these was an order 
from the War Department relieving the 
agent, Jenkins, and placing the reservation 
under military control, a second lieutenant of 
cavalry and a detail of twenty men to take 
station at the agency until further orders. 

Following this came a telegram from the 
department commander authorizing the 
Colonel to turn out his whole command with 


The Return of the Hostage, 145 

ten days^ rations to search for John Quincy 
Hollingsworth, junior. 

In the meantime Dr. Brown and Father 
Sayre had discussed matters. There is no 
doubt in my mind, Father, that Eunning 
Horse is the medium of communication be- 
tween the Indians and Jack. Nothing would 
induce him to betray their hiding-place, I 
know well, for that band belongs to his own 
particular tribe. Eunning Horse delivered 
that first letter of Jack’s himself; then when 
he was too ill to take the second one he sent 
his squaw. 

^^Now undoubtedly the plan was for Eun- 
ning Horse to notify Yellow Bird just as soon 
as the agent was dismissed, and Jack would be 
brought back to the post at once; but this 
illness of Eunning Horse must have upset all 
their plans. Yellow Bird doesn’t dare send 
his messengers right into the post, so he does 
not know of the teamster’s illness, and most 
likely is wondering why on earth Eunning 
Horse doesn’t keep up communication with 
him. 

There is just one way to do. Father; the 
teamster is conscious now, but very weak, and 
if I mistake not, very repentant for having 


146 The Return of the Hostage. 

meddled with Yellow Bird^s quarrel. You go 
right over to his tepee and tax him with 
knowing Jack^s whereabouts. If he gives 
in and admits it, have him send that squaw of 
his to meet the chiefs messenger with the 
notice of Jenkins^ dismissal. And I am very 
much mistaken if Master Jack doesn^t come 
riding in, in a day or so, with his Indian 
friends.^^ 

The little monkey, if s he who deserves 
to be well punished for the terrible fright he 
has given us all. The Indians would never 
have thought of such a thing as a ^ hostiage/ 
as Jack spells it.’^ 

How Father Sayre managed it no one ever 
quite knew, but it was just as Dr. Brown had 
suspected: Eunning Horse had been an ac- 
complice in the child’s kidnapping, though he 
assured the doctor that he would never have 
permitted even his chief to carry off Jack un- 
less the boy himself had been willing. And 
Father Sayre and Dr. Brown believed him. 

Eunning Horse had met with the accident 
which had disabled him and disarranged all 
their plans, as he was returning from a mid- 
night sally spent in getting Little Horn 
safely out of the post. 


The Return of the Hostage. 147 

Yellow Bird had meant to have Jack in 
daily communication with his father, so that 
his parents would not worry over him; for 
the old chief was sincerely grateful to both 
the Colonel and his wife for the many kind- 
nesses they had done him. He had set apart 
four of his young men, the best riders in his 
camp, as couriers; but when Eunning Horse 
had failed to meet them the Indians were at 
a loss to know what to do, being afraid to 
venture inside the post to find out what had 
happened to the half-breed. 

At first Eunning Horse absolutely refused 
to communicate Yellow Bird^s hiding-place 
even to the priest; but on Father Sayre^s repre- 
senting to him that the troops would be sent 
out against the Indians and a war would in- 
evitably follow, the poor fellow himself con- 
sented to divulge the secret to the priest on 
three conditions: That Father Sayre should 
never tell the hiding-place to any one; that 
he should go in person to tell the chief; that 
Yellow Bird and his band and he — Eunning 
Horse — should be forgiven for what they had 
done. The priest was willing to accept them, 
and Colonel Hollingsworth readily consented 
to all three conditions, for he agreed with Dr. 


148 The Return of the Hostage. 

Brown that Master Jack was the real culprit 
in the whole affair. 

Father Sayre set out alone, riding Mr. Bel- 
den’s Major. No one knew or even guessed 
his errand save those who were in the secret; 
they did not tell Mrs. Hollingsworth, for fear 
of a disappointment for her. 

The second day after his departure, just as 
the band was forming for guard mounting, 
the sentry on Number Six, over by the corral, 
called for the corporal of the guard and re- 
ported that a party of Indians was coming 
down the old and mostly unused trail by the 
creek. By the time the officer of the guard 
was notified the Indians had approached near 
enough to be plainly recognizable with the 
aid of a field-glass. The Colonel and every 
officer in the post came on a run. 

Yes, if s Yellow Bird; I see him,^’ said 
Mr. Belden, who was using the glass. There 
was a moment’s intense silence; they were 
awaiting his next words with painful anxiety: 

Yes, thank God ! I see Father Sayre and 
our Jack.” 

Such a shout of joy and relief went up ! 

^^Well, it’s the queerest kind of a proces- 
sion; here, sir, look yourself,” said Mr. Bel- 


The Return of the Hostage, 149 

den, laughing and handing the glass to the 
Colonel. 

Some little bird must have carried the good 
news, for just at this moment Mrs. Hollings- 
worth arrived, with little Louise hopping 
along on her crutch by her side as usual. And 
following them came all the women and chil- 
dren, Dee so excited that her mother had to 
hold her with both hands. 

By this time the queer-looking procession 
had come near enough to be seen with the 
naked eye, and then the smiles and laughter 
became audible, though some of the tender- 
hearted women were crying softly, knowing 
what terrible anxiety Colonel and Mrs. Hol- 
lingsworth had suffered. Yellow Bird in full 
war regalia, which consisted of an old cavalry 
dress-coat and helmet, on top of which 
rested an eagle-feather head-dress — ^which 
was his hereditary badge of chieftainship — 
headed a force of three hundred young war- 
riors, who in war-paint and feathers looked 
formidable enough. Their ponies were 
painted and decorated with pine branches, 
feathers, and numbers of small flags. In the 
centre appeared Jack and Father Sayre riding 
a gorgeously decorated animal, while two 


150 The Return of the Hostage, 

young bucks rode ahead of them carrying a 
set of old and dilapidated cavalry guidons. 

By this time all the enlisted men who were 
off duty liad assembled to greet the wander- 
er, and cheer after cheer went up, to which 
the Indians replied with ear-piercing whoops; 
it was really very exciting. 

As the Indians rode through the big gate 
of the corral, the band, which the adjutant 
had sent for in hot haste, struck up When 
Johnny comes Marching Home Again,^^ the 
tune they always played whenever the regi- 
ment returned from service in the field. 

Here I am, daddy ! cried a tattered, 
torn, curly-headed figure, in whom it was 
hard to recognize Jack. 

The Colonel lifted the little fellow off his 
pony, and without a word placed him in his 
mother’s outstretched arms. 

41 He 4c i|i 

Orders were given to provide a big feast for 
the Indians, who felt themselves the heroes 
of the day; but Mrs. Hollingsworth could not 
be induced to go near them. She wouldn’t 
see Yellow Bird when he came to pay his re- 
spects. 

I’ve forgiven him,” she said, but I can’t 


151 


The iieturn of the liostage, 

forget those days and nights of horror; he re- 
minds me of what he made me suffer/^ And 
the Colonel, seeing how she felt, did not in- 
sist. 

Jack had to tell his story over and over to 
an always-admiring audience. Dee in par- 
ticular insisted upon knowing every detail of 
our plan,^^ as she now called it; for had not 
she and J ack discussed the idea of a hostage ? 
Indeed, seeing what a hero Jack was in 
every one^s eyes, the little girl was half sorry 
the Indians had not taken her. 

J ack said the idea of being a hostiage,’^ 
as he insisted upon calling it, suddenly 
popped into his head while he was taking 
dinner with Yellow Bird, Little Horn, and 
Quick Elk the interpreter, the old chief felt 
so badly because the Great Father had not 
answered his demand. His people would all 
starve or die if the Great Father did not 
hurry and send away the bad agent. Then 
it was that Jack had conceived his brilliant 
idea of hurrying up the President by being 
willingly taken captive. 

^^I Just changed places with Little Horn, 
who hid in Punning Horse^s tepee, and I rode 
right under Mr. Belden^s eyes, and waved my 


152 The Return of the Hostage. 

handkerchief at him, and he never suspected 
me/^ 

But to do Jack justice, he felt terribly over 
the dreadful pain and anxiety his escapade 
had caused his father and mother. The In- 
dians had promised him he should write 
home every day, which he had faithfully 
done, not knowing that only the first two let- 
ters had reached them; for Yellow Bird had 
been really afraid to tell the child of Eun- 
ning Horse^s failure to meet the couriers with 
Jack^s letters. 

But that night, when Jack lay cuddled up 
in his mother^s loving arms, he confessed to 
her that playing ^^hostiage^^ hadn’t been all 
fun by any means. For about two days he 
had enjoyed it, but when the days went by 
without his hearing a word from the post he 
had become thoroughly frightened; and he 
had been the happiest boy possible when late 
one evening, to the dismay of the Indians, 
Father Sayre had entered the Happy 
Valley.” 

But their dismay and anger had changed to 
gladness when they learned what news he 
brought, and then and there they organized 


The Return of the Hostage, 153 

the triumphal procession with which to return 
their small hostage. 

And, daddy/^ said J ack, Eunning Horse 
did tell the truth about the fish and the lake 
of hot water and cold; ifs all true, every bit 
of it. I saw it with my own eyes.^^ 

I shall have to see those wonders myself, 
Jack,^^ returned his father. 

But Jack suddenly exclaimed : Why, 
daddy, you never can, for when we got near 
the valley they tied a handkerchief over my 
eyes so that I couldnH see one mite, and 
when we came out they did the same way; 
and Father Sayre has promised not to never 
tell any one, so no one will ever be able to 
find the place.^’ 

And Jack was right; for though every hunt- 
ing-party that went out from Fort Fetter- 
man during the next two years searched for 
the fabled riches of Happy Hunting Valley 
they searched in vain. It was never found. 

The next few days brought a flood of tele- 
grams of inquiry and congratulation. Dick 
and Billy wired to say that if Jack were not 
found at once they would both take leave and 
come home and find him. 

Little Louise had not said much, but in 


154 The Return of the Hostage, 

her shy way she hobbled around after her 
small knight^ her face alive with silent adora- 
tion. 

Among the telegrams received was one 
from the doctor of a small Western town, say- 
ing that Louise’s father and mother had been 
drowned while attempting to ford a stream 
near by; a letter from Colonel Hollingsworth, 
recommending the man as honest and deserv- 
ing, had been found on the body, so they had 
telegraphed the Colonel. 

Colonel and Mrs. Hollingsworth quietly 
made up their minds to keep Louise and 
bring her up as one of their own, as an act 
of thanksgiving to God Who had so merci- 
fully watched over and restored to them their 
lost child. 

A few days later the mail brought Jack 
the long-delayed answer from the President; 
it was really a charming letter. It began, 
Master John Quincy Hollingsworth, Jr.,” 
then just below it, ^^My dear Jack.” And 
it wasn’t typewritten either, but just the 
frendliest ” letter possible, in which the 
President of the United States apologized that 
the press of public business had caused him to 
overlook Jack’s letter. The President said 


The Retmm of the Hostage. 155 

he wished to convey his personal thanks to the 
boy who had done such good service in the 
cause of truth and justice, and hoped that 
he might hear from Jack himself a full ac- 
count of his adventures while with Yellow 
Bird^s band as a Hostage of War. 


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12 


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